On Monday, Ambassador-designate to Greece, Alison Duncan, met with Neos Kosmos editor Sotiris Hatzimanolis, publisher Christopher Gogos, and journalist Fotis Kapetopoulos.
The new emissary for Australia, to be based in Athens, Ambassador-designate Alison Duncan, has a historic connection to Greece – her great-grandfather was in the First World War Gallipoli campaign and disembarked from the Island of Lemnos. Ms. Duncan is a career diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary of the Consular Communications and Policy Branch. She has served overseas in Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands.
Ms. Duncan will be replacing outgoing Ambassador Arthur Spyrou. While stationed in Athens, she will also be accredited to Bulgaria and Romania.
Neos Kosmos editor Sotiris Hatzimanolis said the Ambassador-designate mentioned that a range of topics were covered, such as Neos Kosmos’ growing audiences in English, the future of the Greek Diaspora, the Australia-Greece relationship, Europe, and the South East Mediterranean. “I was particularly impressed with the Ambassador’s understanding of Greek culture; she surprised me with her knowledge of my island of Chios,” Hatzimanolis added.
Publisher Christopher Gogos said that Ms. Duncan expressed “a profound interest in Greece’s modern history, not just the ancient,” and the nation’s historic role as a conduit between East and West. “The Ambassador is very excited about her new posting, and we look forward to a great relationship,” Gogos said.
Fotis Kapetopoulos talked about how the Ambassador and the embassy can play a role in promoting contemporary Greek Australian arts, literature, and film in Greece, “where many of the cultural elites still focus on Paris and Berlin.”
The Ambassador-designate spent over an hour covering various topics with Neos Kosmos.
