The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia today at the Maximos Mansion.

“It is always a special pleasure to meet with you, Your Eminence—especially as my visit to Australia is approaching. After many years, a Greek Prime Minister will visit Australia and, on the occasion of March 25, will have the opportunity to engage with the vibrant Greek community there,” the Prime Minister said.

He added: “I believe that by then we will also be able to announce very positive news. We expect to pass—with an increased majority that appears to be forming in Parliament—the provision that will allow our fellow citizens who are registered on the electoral rolls and reside in Australia to vote by postal ballot in the next national elections.

I consider this to be a historic achievement for Hellenism. I look forward to strong participation, which will demonstrate the genuine interest of global Hellenism—especially the Greek community in Australia—in Greece’s domestic political developments.

Furthermore, I hope—and I have been personally working toward this—that by then we will have reached, in principle, an agreement on the double taxation avoidance convention. Even if it has not yet been formally signed, I hope it will at least have been announced. This agreement is particularly important for Greeks doing business in Australia, as well as for members of the Greek diaspora in Australia who wish to invest or conduct business in Greece.”

For his part, Archbishop Makarios stated: “This is why we are truly pleased and eagerly awaiting your visit. It is already clear that your visit will not be merely ceremonial, but substantive. The Greek community of Australia both desires and expects this, and it stands ready to welcome you with great joy and enthusiasm.

We know what you have told us—that you are working diligently, preparing and caring for Hellenism in Australia. You are the Prime Minister not only of Greece, but of the entire Greek diaspora. We recognize and deeply appreciate this, and we look forward to welcoming you, Your Excellency.”