Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots Fotis Fotiou and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Diaspora Greeks Antonis Diamataris have expressed the need to organize a conference in Athens on the Greek language.

Fotiou and Diamataris met on Tuesday at the Office of the Presidential Commissioner in Nicosia in the context of the official visit of the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister to Cyprus.

In remarks after their meeting, Fotiou said that they had a very productive and constructive discussion on the issues of their responsibilities.

He said that they both share common goals and are are coordinating to be more effective and productive.

>>> ΟΛΗ Η ΡΟΗ ΕΙΔΗΣΕΩΝ BRIEF ΜΕ ΕΠΙΛΕΓΜΕΝΟ ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΟ <<<

The Cypriot Commissioner said that the expatriate Hellenism constitutes "a great weapon" in  promoting the two countries` interests.

He said that they discussed specific issues as well as suggestions to “come closer to our diaspora", and to give them a role adding that they discussed in particular issues relating to the new generation of diaspora.

He said that "we want the new generation of our diaspora to stay to its roots, to know its history and culture", noting that learning the Greek language is of great importance.

He noted that they had also discussed the possibility of organizing a major event in Athens on the occasion of the International Day of Greek Language on February 9 in the presence of the leaders of both countries.

He also said that during their meeting they had the opportunity to discuss the current state of affairs in regard to the two countries` trilateral co-operation with other countries, in particular, with Israel, Egypt and Armenia.

On his part, Diamataris referred to the very close ties and the great love for Cyprus that he has.

>>> ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΟΛΗ ΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΚΑΙΡΟΤΗΤΑ <<<

He said during the years he had been living in New York he made many friends and strived for the Cyprus issue.

The Greek Deputy Foreign Minister said that they had a very useful meeting during which they discussed the next steps of cooperation between the two countries on the issues of expatriate Hellenism.

He also expressed the need to organize a conference in Athens on the Greek language.

Fotiou invited Fotiou to visit Athens as an official guest of the Greek Government.

CNA