Towards the end of his visit to Libya, Prime Minister of Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the ceremony for the official reopening of the Greek Embassy in Tripoli.
“You are the the ones who, in times of adversity, kept Greece’s voice alive, when everything around you trembled because of the long civil war, the strife that destroyed the infrastructure and the social fabric of this country,” pointed out the Prime Minister addressing to the Presidents and members of the Greek community in Tripoli.
During the plain yet emotional ceremony, the Prime Minister said: “This trip has multiple objectives: to seal the restart of bilateral relations with the ‘new’ Libya; to express our support for this difficult yet simultaneously exciting endeavor to raise this country from the ashes of war and heal its wounds; and, above all, to explicitly state that in Greece the Libyan people will find an honest friend, an honest supporter. We will assist in Libya’s effort to return to political normality and economic prosperity, both in terms of our bilateral relations as well as in the framework of the European Union and the United Nations.”
Mr Mitsotakis reiterated that “Greece will soon have another diplomatic mission in Libya, with the opening of the Consulate General in Benghazi. So, along with our Embassy here in Tripoli -which has essentially been reestablished from scratch- two strong branches will be formed to bridge whatever divergences existed in the past between the two countries; but also to build new ties of cooperation and joint progress”.
The Prime Minister also stressed that “Greece has long-lasting ties with this region. It understands, more than others I believe, Libya’s history, its transition from a colonial hold to a conservative monarchy and then to an authoritarian regime, before the eruption of a long, bloody civil war. As I emphasised to the Chairman and the Prime Minister, it is time for Libya to stand on its own two feet, independent. Without guardians and devoid of interventions by third parties, who tried to confine its future with “agreements” that go against international law. And, of course, to stand on its own feet without foreign troops or mercenaries, whose presence undermines its sovereignty and peace”.
Mr Mitsotakis had the chance to talk with embassy personnel, that is assuming its duties, and expressed his gratitude for the precious services that the staff will offer to those who visit Greece’s “hearthstone” in Libya, where “the Greek heart will beat stronger”.
“Our wishes will accompany you in your very demanding task,” he said.
The ceremony at the embassy was attended by Greeks who live and work in Libya, among them the President of the Greek community in Tripoli, Dimitrios Anastasiou, and the President of the Greek community in Benghazi, Kanakis Mandalios.
The Prime Minister’s full address:
Despite the tight schedule of my visit, I could not miss the first hours of renewed Greek diplomatic activity in Libyan territory, after seven full years of being physically absent by necessity.
My joy is twice as big because -as you said- we have with us the Presidents of the Greek communities and members of the Greek community, here in Tripoli, who persevered through the difficulties and hardships, and I am sure that you also aspire to a better future for Libya. You are the ones who, in times of adversity, kept Greece’s voice alive, when everything around you trembled because of the long civil war, the strife that destroyed the infrastructure and the social fabric of this country.
Our warm thanks deservedly go to our Chargé d’Affaires Giannis Stamatekos, who -as he said- returns to Libya for a second time, and to the embassy staff. I would like to thank you for impeccably arranging this visit. Our wishes will accompany you in your very demanding task. Rest assured that you will enjoy the full support of the leadership of the Foreign Ministry -Minister Dendias has already said as much- as well as my own and the entire government’s.
As I stressed earlier in my official remarks, this trip has multiple objectives: to seal the restart of bilateral relations with the ‘new’ Libya; to express our support for this difficult yet simultaneously exciting endeavor to raise this country from the ashes of war and heal its wounds; and, above all, to explicitly state that in Greece the Libyan people will find an honest friend, an honest supporter. We will assist in Libya’s effort to return to political normality and economic prosperity, both in terms of our bilateral relations as well as in the framework of the European Union and the United Nations.
With the opening of the Consulate General in Benghazi, Greece will soon have another diplomatic mission in Libya, as soon as the last pending issues are resolved. So, along with our Embassy here in Tripoli -which has essentially been reestablished from scratch- two strong branches will be formed to bridge whatever divergences have existed in the past between the two countries; but also to build new ties of cooperation and joint progress.
Greece has long-lasting ties with this region. It understands, more than others I believe, Libya’s history, its transition from a colonial hold to a conservative monarchy and then to an authoritarian regime, before the eruption of a long, bloody civil war. As I emphasised to the Chairman and the Prime Minister, it is time for Libya to stand on its own two feet, independent. Without guardians and devoid of interventions by third parties, who tried to confine its future with “agreements” that go against international law. And, of course, to stand on its own feet without foreign troops or mercenaries, whose presence undermines its sovereignty and peace.
The period up to the elections -which will take place on 24 December- will be crucial. Libya should enjoy all the support it can get in this huge rebuilding effort it is engaged in, in this new political process and in strengthening its institutions; in the reconstruction of its infrastructure and, of course, in the preservation of the fragile peace.
It greatly pleases me to see that Greek companies have already made their presence felt in Libya. As I stressed to the Prime Minister and the Chairman, Greece wishes to actively participate in this new effort to rebuild Libya and re-establish, revive traditional economic ties it had with this country, with whom it has friendly relations. Therefore, I attach particular importance, Mr Chargé d’Affaires, to strengthening the bilateral commercial and economic ties, as I believe there will be significant mutually beneficial opportunities; for Greek interests, Greek funds that will develop activities in Libya; but also for Libya itself, which is seeking capital inflows and -first and foremost- expertise so that it can get back on its feet.
I want to remind you that the first Greeks reached Cyrenaica, on the Libyan coast, 27 centuries ago. Over the course of time they made their fortune, contributing to the country’s progress. And I think that this can now happen again.
Mr Chargé d’Affaires, I would like to thank you once again for the willingness you showed in taking over this particularly difficult mission. I assure you that you and the embassy’s senior staff have our full support. Let me wish to you and especially to our fellow citizens, Greeks in Libya, strength and excellence. Hopefully we have left the hardest part behind us, both for you personally and in terms of our bilateral relations.
Thank you very much