Federal MP for Adelaide Steve Georganas, vice-president of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), has met with the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, in Athens ahead of the association’s biennial general assembly.
Georganas was joined by WHIA president and US state senator for Rhode Island Leonidas Raptakis for the meeting on Friday 27 June, where they discussed final preparations for the upcoming assembly set to take place from 20 to 24 July in the historic former Senate chamber of the Hellenic Parliament.
More than 60 current and former lawmakers of Greek heritage from legislatures around the world are expected to attend the event.
The agenda of this year’s general assembly will focus on key issues for the Greek diaspora, including the preservation of Greek language and culture and strengthening ties between diaspora communities and the Greek state.
Geopolitical developments in the Eastern Aegean, the Cyprus issue, human rights, and the role of Greek Orthodox communities worldwide will also feature prominently in discussions.
Established in 1996 with the support of the Greek government, WHIA brings together Greek heritage MPs and senators from non-Greek-speaking countries. Its mission is to enhance cooperation with the Hellenic Parliament, promote ties of friendship and collaboration with Greece, and contribute to the global promotion of Greek language and culture.
