The Strategic Plan 2024-2027 for Greeks Abroad

Greece’s Strategic Plan 2024-2027 for Greeks Abroad was presented on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at an event at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The presentation of the Strategic Plan, made by Deputy Foreign Minister, Giorgos Kotsiras and Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Maira Myrogianni, opened with a speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis. The event concluded with a speech by the Prime Minister.

The basic objectives of the Strategic Plan are to strengthen the country’s ties with the Greek Diaspora, mutual communication with it, and strengthening the Greek element in the world. The Strategic Plan includes more than 100 operational actions, structured around six Strategic Pillars:

Promoting good neighborly relations, resolving bilateral issues with neighboring countries, and addressing diplomatic challenges through adherence to International Law and international agreements
Strengthening Economic Diplomacy
Enhancing the country’s international standing within the EU and around the world
Promoting Greece’s foreign policy positions and international image
Strengthening ties with the Hellenic Diaspora
Modernizing the Foreign Ministry’s operation

The operational actions of the Strategic Plan include, among others, the creation of a Register of Greek and foreign Non-Governmental Organizations, the creation of networks among Greek academics, scientists and businessmen around the world, the promotion of Greek Studies, educational and scientific exchanges, the enrichment of the Greek learning platform staellinika.com, the expansion of programs to host Diaspora youth, the modernization of consular services through digitization, and actions to attract the brain-drain generation.

In his speech, the prime minister said, among other things: “I must congratulate first and foremost the Deputy Minister in charge of the Strategic Plan, Giorgos Kotsiras, because it is an initiative that strengthens the links of the diaspora with the motherland. At the same time, however, it is also a conscious choice, indicating the state’s decision to formulate a multi-level diplomacy that will promote the country’s interests and improve the international image of our country. These are challenges that are answered by what the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the Secretary General of Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy explained to us earlier; but what we have seen in this brief presentation is also the crystallization of many proposals submitted by our Diaspora organizations from all over the world. Because, as was said before, the draft Plan was subject to public consultation and was the subject of a very lively and creative dialogue.”

On his part, Minister Gerapetritis stated that this Plan “[…] provides the vision for connecting Metropolitan Hellenism with the Greek Diaspora. It is a Plan that personalizes the needs of Greeks Abroad. Because Greeks Abroad also have different needs. They are not always a homogeneous group. [The Plan] utilizes modern technologies, which allow us to eliminate distance through digital media. And, of course, it provides better services through personalization […]. I would like […] to emphasize that Diaspora Hellenism is not just a part of soft power. It is also the feeling of belonging that Greeks Abroad must have. And this feeling of belonging is what we try to enhance in every way, from the smallest things to the biggest. I was reading about the 13 cities in the world that have a population of Greek origin or Greek citizens. And of those 13 cities with a population of more than 100,000, 6 are in metropolitan Greece and 7 are abroad. We have 7 cities around the world that have a population of more than 100,000 people of Greek origin. And this is our great strength […].”

You can watch the entire presentation on the official YouTube channel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs