Leaders from Sydney’s business and Greek Australian communities gathered on Friday, March 27 at Business Sydney to welcome a visiting delegation of senior Members of the Hellenic Parliament, in a high-level luncheon reinforcing the growing relationship between Australia and Greece.
Hosted by Business Sydney in partnership with the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney and supported by Bank of Sydney, the event brought together key figures from industry, government and the diaspora for direct engagement with policymakers from Greece.
Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou opened proceedings, welcoming guests and dignitaries to what he described as “a powerful reflection of the enduring friendship between Australia and Greece.”
The formal program included the singing of the Greek and Australian national anthems, followed by a blessing from Archimandrite Father Irenaeus Triantis, who conveyed the well wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and welcomed the parliamentary delegation.
Nicolaou emphasised the importance of diaspora-led engagement, noting the “extraordinary contributions” of the Greek Australian community across economic, social and cultural life, and the role such gatherings play in unlocking opportunities across key sectors including shipping, tourism, energy, technology and education.
A video message from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was a key highlight of the event, marking 205 years since the Greek War of Independence and reinforcing the importance of the global Greek diaspora.
In his address, Mitsotakis emphasised the enduring role of the diaspora in preserving Hellenic identity and strengthening Greece’s global presence, while highlighting recent reforms to enable Greeks abroad to vote by mail in future national elections.
Bank of Sydney Acting CEO Keiran McKenna addressed the audience, highlighting the institution’s longstanding connection with the Greek Australian community.
“The welcome that my staff receive from the Greek community… is fantastic. Long may that continue,” he said.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, delivered an engaging address challenging misconceptions about Greece’s economic performance, noting strong fiscal progress, early debt repayments and the country’s return to investment grade status.
“This is a cross-partisan delegation that symbolises the unity of Greece,” Skemperis said.
The delegation included Maximos Charakopoulos (New Democracy), Filippos Fortomas (New Democracy), Stavros Michailidis (PASOK), and Konstantinos Barkas (SYRIZA), representing a broad cross-section of Greece’s political leadership.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the delegation, Charakopoulos conveyed the Prime Minister’s personal message of appreciation to the diaspora and his intention to visit Australia at the first opportunity.
“I am not here to call on you to invest in Greece by invoking economic patriotism,” Charakopoulos said.
“However, I am here to tell you that Greece is an anchor of stability in southeastern Europe in an unpredictable world, and truly, an investment in Greece at this time is win-win.”
He highlighted Greece’s economic recovery and reform progress, noting higher growth rates than the European average, historically low unemployment and tax reforms designed to encourage reinvestment. He also pointed to Greece’s fiscal turnaround, including the early repayment of bailout-era obligations and its strengthened position within Europe’s economic framework.
The remaining members of the delegation echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of strengthening economic ties between Greece and Australia, expanding investment opportunities and deepening business relationships between the two nations.
They also reflected on the strong sense of Hellenic identity within the Australian diaspora, sharing their experiences of the warm reception received in Sydney and the enduring presence of Greek culture and community spirit abroad.
The event was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including Trade Commissioner of Greece to Australia Christina Stefanidou, former Australian Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos AO, and Chairman of Bank of Sydney, Nikolas Hatzistergos, among others.
Proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Angela Tomazos, who acknowledged the collective effort behind the event and the importance of unified national collaboration across the Greek Australian business community.
Representing the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) National Federation, Tomazos highlighted the organisation’s role as a coordinated national body connecting Greek Australian businesses and strengthening bilateral economic ties.
She reaffirmed HACCI’s commitment to deepening engagement with Greece, pointing to its established partnerships with major chambers in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as its role as a “single point of coordination” for the Greek Australian business community.
Echoing earlier remarks, Tomazos emphasised the importance of unity across states and sectors, noting that regardless of size, each part of the network contributes equally toward advancing shared economic goals.
“We stand ready to support the continued dialogue and the connections that we have,” she said.
The event concluded with the presentation of commemorative gifts to the visiting delegation.
The luncheon reinforced the central role of the Greek Australian community as a bridge between the two nations and highlighted renewed momentum in strengthening bilateral engagement across business, diplomacy and culture.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald
