Bridging the Gap: Loverdos outlines plan for Greeks abroad

Greek Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ioannis Loverdos and Greek ministers are telling Greek Australians to get much progressive with authorities successful Greece, with the archetypal step being to registry and vote.

Getting much progressive and showing Greece that the Diaspora has a voice will beryllium the archetypal step toward bridging the gap.

This was the biggest takeaway from a sit-down gathering with Loverdos and his delegation astatine the Greek Consulate General successful Melbourne connected Friday.

The treatment focused connected the implementation of the Greek government’s strategic program for the diaspora, consular work improvements, and initiatives to strengthen ties with Greeks abroad.

Digital consulate and faster passport processing

When asked by Neos Kosmos astir the state of consular services, Loverdos acknowledged that the word “consulate” has agelong been associated with vexation for Greeks overseas but stressed that improvements are underway.

“The archetypal large alteration is the thought of the ‘digital consulate,’ which is present being implemented,” helium said. A aviator programme astatine the Melbourne consulate will let services such arsenic civilian registry acts — including births, marriages, and deaths — to beryllium completed wholly online, with physics payments.

“As for the Greek connection — that’s 1 of our biggest challenges. We want it preserved, but it’s not easy. Greek is simply a demanding language, and often young radical similar to larn languages that are much “useful” for work.” Photo: Michael Georgiou

Biometric information for passports, antecedently sent physically to Athens causing agelong delays, will present beryllium transmitted digitally via a caller level developed by the Hellenic Police successful practice with the Foreign Ministry, cutting waiting times by up to a month.

Loverdos besides confirmed that mobile consular units will visit areas without consulates to process applications connected site, while the “Special Registry” remains operational and whitethorn adjacent beryllium strengthened to support Greeks surviving acold from consular offices.

Staffing challenges and citizenship reforms

Loverdos acknowledged that staffing astatine consulates has agelong been a problem, often owed to fiscal constraints. From January 1, allowances for Foreign Ministry staff overseas will summation importantly to marque posts successful high-cost countries similar Australia much attractive.

Recruitment for further administrative and diplomatic officers is already underway, with caller appointments expected by 2025.

Citizenship procedures are besides being simplified to guarantee that each Greeks, adjacent those without afloat documentation, tin get citizenship. Under the upcoming Citizenship Code, applicants will nary longer request to beryllium Greek connection proficiency, reflecting the applicable challenges faced by diaspora communities.

Exploring a “diaspora card” and strengthening taste ties

In effect to a question astir an “Overseas Greek Card,” Loverdos said the conception is under treatment and could service arsenic an intermediate status for radical of Greek descent without citizenship.

Language preservation was different cardinal topic. Loverdos acknowledged the challenges of maintaining Greek among younger generations abroad, noting that galore parents nary longer speak Greek astatine location and that planetary languages are often prioritised for work opportunities.

“We want the Greek connection preserved, but it’s not easy,” helium said. “That worries maine deeply. I emotion the connection and want it to survive, but there’s nary magic solution.”

Education initiatives are underway, including the instauration of modern teaching materials for Greek arsenic a 2nd connection and collaboration with universities abroad.

A working radical whitethorn beryllium formed to further amended Greek connection acquisition and coordinate with consulates.

Loverdos said things person improved for consular services but not completely. Photo: Michael Georgiou

Double Taxation Agreement and voting rights

Questions besides touched connected the Double Taxation Agreement betwixt Greece and Australia. Loverdos confirmed that proposals person been made and the authorities is awaiting Australia’s response, with hopes for advancement by the clip of a imaginable Prime Minister visit successful 2026.

Voting rights for Greeks overseas were highlighted arsenic different priority. Loverdos and his delegation program to grow polling stations beyond consulates, with caller centres created wherever astatine slightest 40 registered voters reside.

Modernising nationalist services

Athanasios Balermpas, Secretary-General liable for the Civil Registry, highlighted Greece’s transformation successful integer governance.

Since 2019, the fig of online transactions available to citizens has accrued from 81 to astir 2,000, including afloat integer healthcare bookings and physics entree to prescriptions and δοκιμή results.

“Now, we are opening to absorption connected the needs of Greeks abroad,” helium said, noting ongoing efforts to supply unafraid authentication for diaspora Greeks to entree gov.gr without requiring TaxisNet accounts.

Cultural engagement and education

Loverdos besides praised the Melbourne Greek community’s passionateness and ongoing engagement with Greek culture, including festivals, religion events, and initiatives similar the Hellenic Museum. Scholarships for Greek Studies abroad, English-language programs successful Greece, and hospitality programs for students are being expanded arsenic portion of the strategic plan.

“Even if young Greeks don’t cognize Greek, spending a period successful Greece, taking connection classes, and socialising with different Greeks helps them link with their heritage,” helium said.

Loverdos highlighted that the Greek government’s strategic program for the diaspora is present being actively implemented, with a strong absorption connected acquisition and taste engagement. He noted that backing for Greek Studies chairs astatine universities overseas has increased, helping to support programs live successful astir 60 institutions worldwide.

“We came present and offered a small magnitude — 18,000 dollars — it’s not much, but it keeps a Greek Studies Chair alive,” helium said.

Athanasios Balermpas, Ministry of Interior Secretary-General, liable for the Registry (centre) and Dimitris Karnavos, Ministry of Interior Secretary-General, liable for citizenship issues (right). Photo: Michael Georgiou

Scholarships for young Greeks overseas are besides being expanded beyond theological schools to see English-language programs astatine large universities successful Greece, peculiarly successful Thessaloniki and Athens.

Additionally, hospitality programs are being broadened, giving much young Greek Australians the accidental to spend a period successful Greece, take connection classes, and link with their practice done taste immersion.

Loverdos stressed that these initiatives are present imaginable owed to Greece’s improved fiscal position.

“Over the past decade, Greece was bankrupt. Now we’re getting stronger. Not everything is perfect, but we’re connected the close track,” helium said

A connection of partnership

Dimitris Karnavos, Ministry of Interior Secretary-General added: “During this mission, we visited six destinations, met with galore representatives, and saw large enthusiasm astir citizenship matters.”

“We consciousness we’ve planted an important effect — that citizenship is different span with the homeland, alongside language, religion, and culture.”

Throughout the discussion, Loverdos emphasised the value of practice betwixt the Greek state, consulates, and diaspora communities.

Citizenship, language, taste exchanges, and streamlined bureaucracy are each seen arsenic bridges connecting Greeks overseas with the homeland.

“This is the biggest trip of my life,” Loverdos said. “I’ve met people, listened to their problems, and seen firsthand the dedication of the Greek diaspora. Our extremity is to strengthen these ties — emotionally and practically.”

“I’ve been profoundly moved by the warmth of the Greek-Australian community. Even those who don’t speak Greek well emotion Greece passionately.

“I spot a assemblage that mirrors what I’ve seen successful the US and Canada — built by hardworking migrants who came present mediocre and uneducated, worked incredibly hard, and succeeded.

“What’s astir important is that there’s a shared tendency for Greece and the diaspora to turn adjacent person — and we person the will to marque that happen.”