President Rivlin begins State Visit to Greece, meets President and Prime Minister in Athens

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נשיא המדינה ראובן ריבלין בטקס קבלת פנים ממלכתית אתונה יוון צילום: חיים צח / לע"מ Photos By : Haim Zach / GPO
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President Pavlopoulos of Greece: “Your visit to Greece takes place at a time when our ties are at a truly remarkable level, and over time these ties are becoming increasingly beneficial for our countries.”

President Reuven Rivlin was welcomed this morning on the first day of a State Visit to Greece at an official ceremony at the President’s Mansion in Athens, hosted by President and First Lady of Greece, Prokopis and Vlasia Pavlopoulos. The ceremony included the playing of both national anthems, after which both Presidents reviewed a guard of honor before delivering brief statements to the media.

President Rivlin told President Pavlopoulos of Greece, “The cooperation between Israel and Greece has tremendous potential.”

“It is essential today more than ever, to remember the lessons of the Holocaust, and the Jews of Greece who lost their lives. Only through education can we halt the rising wave of anti-Semitism and hatred.”

The President noted the timing of the visit and said, “During the course of my visit, I will participate in events in Athens and also in Thessaloniki, to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We are full of appreciation to you Mr. President, and to the Prime Minister, for you initiative to establish a Holocaust museum in Greece, and we want to express the thanks of all mankind for your clear statement, Never Again. Never Again, is relevant not only to the victims but also to all nations where there was a problem of racism and anti-Semitism. It is essential today more than ever, to remember the lessons of the Holocaust, and the Jews of Greece who lost their lives. Only through education can we halt the rising wave of anti-Semitism and hatred.”

On UNESCO’s decision regarding the status of Jerusalem, the President also added, “There is no one in the world who does not know Athens is the capital of Greece. No one in the world who does not know Rome is the capital of Italy, and not even UNESCO will convince anyone in the world that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel.”

The two went on to discuss bilateral relations and strengthening the existing partnerships between the two countries. They were due to meet tomorrow at the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Salonika.

Attached photo credit: Haim Zach (GPO)


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