The Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd is no stranger to the Greek Australian community or to Greece.
In November 2008 as Prime Minister he welcomed a delegation of Greek Australian community leaders, where he confirmed Australia’s continued support on the Macedonian and Cyprus issues.
In February 2011, as Foreign Minister he visited Greece and he held discussions with the Greek government aiming amongst others at improving the bilateral relationship.
During his state visit to Greece Kevin Rudd supported publicly the economic reform program of the then Prime Minister George Papandreou, and referred to the Cyprus issue saying that: “We believe there are great opportunities for new agreements to be reached… we would encourage both Greek and Turkish Cypriots to seize the opportunities which now present themselves to them.”
He also acknowledged the strong historical bonds between the two countries stating: “The relationship between Australia and Greece has always been close and it will be close into the future.”
Furthermore, he referred to the importance of the Battle of Crete and other battles on the Greek mainland “where many Australian troops fought and died” as “one of the ties that bind our two great democracies”.
During that visit he also thanked Greece and the Greek people for their willingness to help Australia face various natural disasters, he was received by the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and he addressed the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research in Athens where he talked about Australia’s foreign policy in relation to the Arab spring.
Last month, as it was reported in Neos Kosmos, he took part at the 37th Paniyiri of the Greek Community in Brisbane at Musgrave Park.