Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Kyriakos Gerontopoulos (pictured) announced yesterday that the Greek government is hoping to revive the World Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE). He said that Parliament will discuss and vote on the draft bill during autumn’s plenary session.

Mr. Gerontopoulos said that plans are underway to also include Cypriots in the general assembly of the revived SAE that will be comprised of 107 members.The government believes that Greeks of the diaspora who aren’t organized in associations abroad should also be represented in the SAE.

The rejuvinated group will not just be more assertive in its role, but also financially independent. One of the main goals for this more robust SAE is to ensure that it is a useful agency with strength enough to influence governments throughout the world on national issues while also conveying the views of Greeks abroad to the Greek government.

The bill won’t be voted on during the summer session because Mr. Gerontopoulos believes that there should be consensus when it is passed. He has already been in touch with all political factions to listen to their proposals and to ensure that all views are represented.

While the bill won’t be voted on until fall, there are three hospitality programs for young expatriates that will restart this summer in Greece after having been disrupted in the past. Two of these are for students aged up to 17 years and another concerns a training program for Greek language teachers from the Soviet Union.