Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has continued his official visit to Australia with a series of high-level meetings in Canberra, following his arrival and welcome at the Embassy of Greece on Tuesday.
Warm welcome at the Embassy of Greece
On arrival in Canberra, Loverdos was warmly received at the Embassy by Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and members of the diplomatic mission. Joining the Deputy Minister were the Secretaries-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Athanasios Balermpas and Dimitrios Karnavos, and the Head of the Directorate-General for Citizenship, Katerina Ouli.
The event was also attended by Australian Federal MP Steve Georganas, former Australian Ambassador to Greece Arthur Spyrou, Honorary Consul of Greece in Darwin Ioannis Anictomatis, and Honorary Consul of Greece in Newcastle Zisis Antoniadis.
Ambassador Venizelos welcomed Loverdos to “Greece’s home in Australia,” noting that his visit underscores the close and enduring ties between Greece and the Hellenic diaspora.
Strengthening bilateral relations in Federal Parliament
Loverdos today met with Federal MPs Steve Georganas and David Smith at Parliament House, accompanied by Ambassador Venizelos.
Discussions took place in what was described as a warm and constructive atmosphere, focusing on issues of mutual interest and cooperation between Greece and Australia.
The meeting covered several key topics – including the proposed visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Australia in 2026, progress on a Double Taxation Agreement, and the development of a Health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.
The discussion also touched on the preservation of the Greek language in Australia, a matter of deep cultural and educational significance to both nations.
Georganas also briefed the Deputy Minister on the Athens–Adelaide Sister City Memorandum of Understanding and his role as Vice-President of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association, representing Greek-origin parliamentarians worldwide.
Loverdos expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to him and highlighted the extraordinary contribution of the Greek community to Australia’s political, social, and economic life.
Ongoing engagements
The Deputy Minister’s visit to Canberra forms part of a broader Australian tour, which includes meetings with community leaders, clergy, and consular officials across multiple states.
His program aims to strengthen Greece’s engagement with the diaspora and advance bilateral cooperation across key policy areas.
