Australia’s links to Greece and Cyprus may work to the countries’ benefit after Australia won its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, according to Maria Vamvakinou MP. She says the advocacy of diaspora communities in Australia have ensured that issues pertaining to Greece and Cyprus are at the front of the minds of politicians as Australia takes its seat on the UN Security Council.

“The bilateral relationship between Australia and Greece is in excellent condition and operates in various levels,” Ms Vamvakinou told Neos Kosmos.

“The Greek community in Australia has very strong links to Greece itself and as a result of that our relationships at that level are very close and that feeds into the parliament to parliament relationship and government to government.”

She added that current crisis in Greece had “stirred” the Greeks in Australia into action, who in turn advocate on their behalf, and noted the commencement of negotiations of the work and holiday visa their most recent success. Ms Vamvakinou added that Australia will continue to support dialogue between both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities to try and broach a resolution, considering as a nation, she said Australia saw the first rapprochement activities between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots in Melbourne some 12 years.

“Australia – and even the governor General when she was there in June – will continue to support Australia’s Cypriot academic dialogue which exists at the moment – which is dialogue between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots academics who are working away trying to find ways outside the direct political context so Australia has an interest in assisting that,” she said.

However, out of the 140 votes Australia gained to get the seat on the council, Greece was not one of them. As Greece needs to vote as part of the European Union, their vote went to fellow European country Luxembourg. Ms Vamvakinou is pleased that Australia received the seat saying that as a country with good relationships with the world, Australia will have a strong role in “shaping the worlds future”.

“Our middle power is proven on the grounds in this country to be able to broker dialogue between conflicting communities so am looking forward to us using those expertise and hopefully we can make a difference.”

Mrs Vamvakinou said Australia has always seen itself as as ‘honest broker’ and will take that approach on their seat on the UN security council. “We have a history of operating at that middle level. We are a country that is relatively neutral I think in the sense that we have good relationship broadly speaking with world communities,” she added. However, the issues in Greece and Cyprus may take a back seat as Australia will focus its attention on issues in Syria, and Afghanistan – where Australia’s security interests are deeply engaged.