Dear compatriots,

​With particular emotion, we commemorate this year the anniversary of the National Rebirth, a decisive historical milestone that led to the creation of the modern Greek state and sealed the course of Hellenism everywhere, forging its national consciousness.

In this spirit, our thoughts turn not only to the fighters who raised the banner of Freedom in their homeland, but also to the Greeks of the Diaspora, whose contribution was decisive for the rebirth of the Nation, after more than 400 years of Ottoman rule.

The Revolution of 1821 was not only a glorious armed struggle, but also a spiritual battle, armed with the timeless values ​​of Hellenism and the lessons of the European Enlightenment. The Greek diaspora, in good cooperation with the Philhellenism movement, transformed cities such as Paris, Marseille, London, Vienna, Odessa, Trieste and so many others into living centers of support for the Struggle. In these places, the Greeks of the Diaspora kept Greek education alive and cultivated the ideals of freedom and national independence. There the spiritual renaissance of the enslaved Nation was founded, the secret organization Filiki Eteria was established, the necessary resources were gathered and the network was formed that made possible the beginning and continuous support of the Struggle.

The Greeks of the Diaspora stood by the side of the homeland, with selflessness, self-denial and unparalleled strength. And you, continuing this great legacy, continue to support Greece with all your might, promoting Greek culture and keeping alive our ancient language and timeless values, in every corner of the world.

A world that, unfortunately, is currently plagued by successive crises, endless armed conflicts, increasing insecurity and instability. From Ukraine to the Middle East, and from Africa to the Eastern Mediterranean, the principles of the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law are violated daily, calling into question the international order built after the end of World War II.

In this ominous environment, Greece remains a steadfast beacon of democracy, peace and stability. With realism, faith in our strengths and commitment to international legitimacy, we defend the independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our homeland, as well as the rights and existence of the entirety of Hellenism. The recent mission of Greek air forces to Cyprus sent a symbolic and essential message that Greece will always stand by the side of Cypriot Hellenism.

At the same time, our thoughts and hearts are with the Greeks, who are in areas tested by war, whether in Ukraine or, of course, in the Middle East. We know that many of you are experiencing daily uncertainty and concern for the safety of your families. The Greek State is constantly monitoring developments and stands by your side, utilizing every available means.

Greeks abroad,

The Greek Diaspora is a living force that works, progresses and echoes the voice of Greece far beyond its borders. On this day, therefore, I express to you the sincere gratitude of all of us. Greece honors you and is proud that you are an integral part of our national journey. Let us never forget that Hellenism survives and achieves greatness whenever it stands united and resolute in the face of the challenges and difficulties of each era.

With these thoughts, I invite you to celebrate this great day of the anniversary of March 25th and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary with joy and pride. I wholeheartedly wish all of you a happy celebration with health and progress!

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​PHR

The Greek Parliament approved by a majority vote the bill of the Ministry of the Interior titled “Designation of an Electoral Constituency for the Greek Diaspora – Facilitation of the Exercise of Voting Rights for Voters Outside the Territory through Postal Voting in Parliamentary Elections,” following a roll-call vote, in accordance with the constitutional provision.

The provisions concerning the introduction and availability of postal voting for citizens residing outside the country received more than 200 affirmative votes and will apply starting from the next national elections. The provisions concerning the creation of an electoral constituency for the Greek Diaspora did not obtain the required two-thirds majority of votes. This means that they will not apply in the upcoming national elections, nor in the event of repeat elections (with party lists), but only in elections that will again be held using the preference vote system.

More specifically, the provisions concerning the establishment of a three-seat electoral constituency for the Greek Diaspora, the number of MPs representing it, the right of political parties to submit candidate lists (only parties that have candidate lists in three-quarters of the total constituencies in the country), the adaptation of existing legislation, the setting of campaign spending limits for Diaspora candidates, and the entry into force of these provisions did not receive the constitutionally required majority of 200 affirmative votes. As a result, these provisions will not apply in the upcoming national elections.

By contrast, the provisions aimed at facilitating the exercise of voting rights for Greek citizens residing outside the country were approved. These include the possibility of voting by post or in person, the choice of voting method by voters abroad, the adaptation of special electoral registers, the upgrade of the voter registration system for Greeks abroad, the relevant application deadlines, the organization of polling stations, and the procedures for postal ballots and the announcement of election results.

Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios stressed that “postal voting can operate safely and reliably and it strengthens participation. The Diaspora constituency ensures authentic representation and a genuinely distinct voice for Greeks abroad in Parliament.” Offering a brief historical overview, the minister said that the bill resolves an outstanding issue concerning the vote of Greeks abroad that stems from the 1975 Constitution, for which, for various reasons, no law had ever been enacted. Referring to the legislative initiatives undertaken over the years, Mr. Livanios noted that many successive attempts had been made, but that the time is now ripe to take this step, both with regard to the right to vote and the right to stand for election for Greeks living abroad.

Concerning the choice of a single three-seat constituency for Greeks abroad, he explained that this is the best option in order to avoid single-party representation, which could occur if an equal number of single-member constituencies were created. The minister also clarified once again that the creation of this special constituency does not prevent political parties from including additional Diaspora candidates in electable positions on their nationwide party lists.

The minister announced that in the coming days, the cross-party committee at the Ministry of the Interior will be convened again to discuss registration applications, how there should be a formal channel of communication between the Greek state and Greeks abroad, and the initial details regarding the organization of postal voting. Regarding a census of the Greek Diaspora, he noted that this is not feasible, but the registration applications will provide a general idea of their numbers. Concerning the limit on campaign expenses, he explained that it is set precisely to prevent millionaire candidates from dominating, and the limit is three times higher for Diaspora candidates, which he considers reasonable. On the proposed preference vote system, he observed that this serves as a guarantee of accountability, ensuring that the elected Diaspora MP will advocate for their constituents’ concerns in the Hellenic Parliament, rather than the other way around.

Mr. Livanios noted that the legislative improvements made addressed the observations raised by the Ombudsman, and that provisions will be in place to ensure an alternative method of registration in the electoral rolls, since the aim is not to exclude those who do not have Taxisnet (Greece's online tax system) codes, as this would reintroduce the problems related to previous limits. The Interior Minister also stated that the difference compared to 2024, when changes to postal voting were introduced for the European elections, is that “we now have practical results, as everyone has seen how it worked. Our experience has shown that postal voting can operate safely, reliably, and it enhances participation.”

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​GNA; AMNA

An important step towards facilitating the participation of Greeks Abroad in the national elections is underway. The Ministry of Interior's draft law has been put out for public consultation for:

• Establishment of postal voting for out-of-state voters in Greek Parliamentary Elections
• Definition of the electoral district of the Greek Diaspora

You can participate and make your suggestions via the following link: https://www.opengov.gr/ypes/?p=9686 

Instructions:

1) On the centre of the Ministry of the Interior's website, click on one of the hyperlinks which will open a new page
2) On the bottom of the page that opens, you can add comments or suggestions

The consultation will conclude on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 09:00 (EET).
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Your participation is important for strengthening the vote of Greeks abroad in the national elections.

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Σημαντική Ενημέρωση για τον Απόδημο Ελληνισμό: Το μέλλον της ψήφου των Ελλήνων Εξωτερικού διαμορφώνεται τώρα!

Ένα σημαντικό βήμα για τη διευκόλυνση της συμμετοχής των Αποδήμων Ελλήνων στις εθνικές εκλογές βρίσκεται σε εξέλιξη. Τέθηκε σε δημόσια διαβούλευση το νομοσχέδιο του Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών για:

• Καθιέρωση της επιστολικής ψήφου για τους εκλογείς εκτός επικρατείας στις Βουλευτικές Εκλογές
• Ορισμό εκλογικής περιφέρειας Απόδημου Ελληνισμού.

Μπορείτε να συμμετάσχετε και να διατυπώσετε τις προτάσεις σας μέσω του παρακάτω συνδέσμου: https://www.opengov.gr/ypes/?p=9686 

Οδηγίες:

1) Στο κέντρο της ιστοσελίδας του Υπουργείου Εσωτερικών, κάντε κλικ σε έναν από τους υπερσυνδέσμους που θα ανοίξει μια νέα σελίδα
2) Στο κάτω μέρος της σελίδας που ανοίγει, μπορείτε να προσθέσετε σχόλια ή προτάσεις

​Η διαβούλευση θα ολοκληρωθεί την Δευτέρα 16 Φεβρουαρίου 2026 και ώρα 09:00 (ώρα Ελλάδος).

Η συμμετοχή σας είναι σημαντική για την ενίσχυση της ψήφου των αποδήμων Ελλήνων στις εθνικές εκλογές.

Interview with Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy Maira Myrogianni

Maira Myrogianni is Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs since August 2024; she has previously served as Secretary General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry, from July 2023 until July 2024.

She is a graduate of the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lille II in France. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Discrimination, Immigration and Citizenship, while being a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Peloponnese. Her scientific interest is focused on the fields of Human Rights and European Law. She is an Expert on Immigration and Asylum Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Maira Myrogianni has a wide and diverse experience in public administration, having served for several years as a legal advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Culture & Sports, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs in the realms of International Relations, as well as the cooperation with the European Institutions and other International Organizations.

In her interview, Secretary General Myrogianni talks about the role of public diplomacy in promoting the country’s image globally, Greece’s comparative advantages, the importance of fostering links with the Greek Diaspora, and the government’s initiatives in this regard as part of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027.

What is your strategic vision for Public Diplomacy? How can public diplomacy contribute to the goals of Greek foreign policy?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drawn up the Strategic Plan 2024-2027, emphasising on relations with Greek Diaspora and Public Diplomacy policies. Central pillars of the Strategic Plan concern foreign policy priorities as well as Greece’s international image. Always in line with the Ministry’s guidelines under the coordination of Foreign Minister Mr. Gerapetritis and in cooperation with Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Loverdos, we have set as our top priorities the reinforcement of Public Diplomacy and the enhancement of our country’s assets and competitive advantages.

These include our language and culture under a universal dimension, in the light of our cultural heritage and contemporary cultural production, the promotion of Greek studies, and of educational and scientific exchanges. Our priority is to showcase the country’s innovation, reforms, investment opportunities, green initiatives and actions to tackle climate change, as well as to promote Greece as an energy hub and highlight its role as a stability pillar in the Eastern Mediterranean and South-Eastern Europe.

​We will soon be presenting the Strategic Plan for Public Diplomacy, aiming at highlighting the country’s comparative advantages, with an emphasis on the use of digital tools. One of the key objectives is to implement a new strategy for rebranding the country, based on Greece’s traditionally strong cultural capital and promoting intercultural dialogue.

What role do Diaspora Greeks play in enhancing Greece’s international image, and what initiatives have you taken in this regard?

Greeks abroad are invaluable in promoting our country’s image internationally. Millions of Greeks around the world keep our traditions, language, and culture alive, acting as bridges between their host countries and Greece acting as ambassadors of our culture, language, and customs worldwide. This unique relationship gives us the opportunity to strengthen our international relations, especially with younger generations, while preserving the language as a cohesive element of national identity is a huge challenge.

Strengthening the ties between expatriate Greeks worldwide and our country is a key pillar of the Greek government’s foreign policy. Our primary goal is to further interconnect members of the Greek Diaspora by encouraging scientific, academic, business, artistic, cultural and youth networks.

In this framework, Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis presented the Strategic Plan 2024-2027 for Greeks Abroad in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This is the first time that a comprehensive and coherent Plan for Greeks abroad has been drawn up, considering factors such as the diverse characteristics of each expatriate group and their contemporary needs.

Among other things, the Plan involves supporting and developing expatriate networks and bodies, fostering links between the Greek innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem with corresponding expatriate networks, particularly encouraging and facilitating the new generation of Diaspora Greeks.

​Two characteristic examples of strengthening ties with the Greek Diaspora include, on the one hand, the launch of the Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium, held for the first time in November 2024 in Athens along with the Youth Diaspora Ambassadors initiative, and on the other hand the introduction of annual programs for the hosting of Diaspora youths in Greece.

You have undertaken a series of initiatives to promote Greece on a global scale. Could you tell us more about some of them?

Among our initiatives, I would like to mention hosting of this year’s Club of Venice Plenary Meeting which was held in Athens on May 21-22. This is a European network of senior government communication professionals where more than 30 countries are represented at the highest level, including the member states of the European Union, candidate countries, the United Kingdom, the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other relevant bodies. The Plenary Meeting was hosted in our country as part of a broader effort to highlight Public Diplomacy issues through targeted conferences, seminars, and workshops.

Furthermore, it is our core policy to support the teaching of the Greek language, history and culture in schools and universities abroad, where Greek Studies departments exist. In this context, last year we took the decision to support 43 Greek Studies departments, and this year we are proud to announce that we will do the same for over 80 departments. At the same time, we seek to support and develop collaborations between Greek and foreign universities and to promote English-language courses offered by Greek universities.

To this end, plans are underway towards networking and interconnecting University Chairs with relevant organizations in Greece, developing exchange and hosting programs for students, researchers, and educators, supplying books and educational materials, and utilizing digital tools for distance learning.

Within this framework, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Study in Greece organization, which will provide opportunities for new collaborations in the academic world. In the same vein, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a Protocol of Cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In particular, the Protocol provides for the promotion of programs and actions for the learning of the Greek language, history, and culture among Greeks of the Diaspora and philhellenes, while also encouraging synergies in the field of Greek Studies through the interconnection of the University of Athens with Greek Studies departments and centers abroad.

At the same time, we work closely with the University of Western Macedonia (UWM), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Columbia University and Columbia Global Center in Athens, and the University of Ioannina.

In the same context, we awarded scholarships to foreigners and Diaspora Greeks who wish to study at Greek universities during the academic year 2025-2026, with the aim of obtaining a higher education degree. Through the program, 50 scholarships were awarded to people from a total of 34 countries, creating an international network of young scholars who acquaint themselves with the Greek language and culture, becoming potential “ambassadors”.
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