Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) President Bill Papastergiadis OAM has congratulated Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis on his election as president of the Eurogroup – and revealed that the newly elected European leader hopes to visit Australia as early as next year.
Pierrakakis’ victory on Thursday, defeating Belgian Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem, marks the first time a Greek politician has taken the helm of the Eurogroup, a milestone that comes 16 years after Greece’s debt crisis and only a decade after fears the country might be forced out of the eurozone.
For Papastergiadis, the news carries both national and personal significance.
“I am very proud that my good friend, Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, was on Thursday elected president of the Eurogroup,” he told The Greek Herald, describing the moment as a powerful symbol of Greece’s recovery.
But in a development with strong implications for Australia’s Greek community, Papastergiadis revealed that Pierrakakis is already looking ahead to strengthening ties with the diaspora.
“We also spoke about him visiting Australia early next year,” Papastergiadis said. “He said to me ‘Bill, I am intrigued by Australia. I’ve heard a lot about the GCM and definitely want to come early to mid 2026. Let’s talk and arrange it’.”
Papastergiadis confirmed he has been in regular contact with Pierrakakis’ chief of staff since their October meeting, particularly concerning progress on the long-awaited Double Taxation Agreement between Greece and Australia. He praised Pierrakakis’ swift and pragmatic approach during their recent discussions.
“Kyriakos is a tireless advocate and leader who is currently working with us on a number of initiatives in Australia on multilateral agreements including the Double Taxation Agreement,” he said.
“In just a short meeting with him recently, he quickly made progress with the bureaucrats of both countries. There are some stumbling blocks but his decisive leadership is one that will surely lead to a successful outcome.”
Pierrakakis, 42, is regarded as one of New Democracy’s most dynamic figures, credited with major digital reforms that modernised Greek public services. Reflecting on Greece’s turbulent past, he said, “Greece withstood,” describing his election as a testament to public resilience and European solidarity.
He has pledged to “work to keep the Eurogroup a body of unity and shared purpose.”
His victory was welcomed by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who called it “a day of pride for the country” and “the most emphatic recognition of our country’s positive course… exactly a decade since the country found itself on a cliff-edge.” Mitsotakis added that Greece, “the former ‘black sheep’ of debt,” had now risen to a leading position in Europe.
For Papastergiadis, Pierrakakis’ election – and his intention to visit Australia – represents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen cooperation across continents.
