In an atmosphere of strong emotional charge, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed our expatriates, who gave him a warm welcome on Heimarra Beach. Under the slogan “Greece, Greece, don’t forget us,” Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that he was honored to be the first Prime Minister of Greece to visit Heimarra.

“The ethnic minority of Albania will find in me a firm supporter of your just demands. You are a bridge of friendship between Greece and Albania. I am and will remain a supporter of Albania’s European path and Albania’s obligation is to fully respect your own rights in terms of self-determination, in terms of language and in terms of your property rights,” Mr. Mitsotakis characteristically noted, insisting that in a spirit of cooperation all this will be decided, “I personally guarantee.”

The Prime Minister also noted that our country has left behind its adventures and has become stronger.

The next points of the visit of the Prime Minister of Greece are Livadia and Dervitsani. On behalf of the Albanian government, the Prime Minister will be welcomed in Dervitsani by his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, and in Livadia by Minister of Environment and Tourism Mirela Kumbaro.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivered a brief welcome to over 300 expatriates in the courtyard of the Lefteris Stalios United Lyceum in Livadia, the second stop of his visit.

Mr. Mitsotakis, in his welcome, was optimistic about the signing of a co-contract on the delimitation of the EEZ with Albania and insisted that this is the appropriate way to resolve disputes between civilized countries.

Pirros Dimas: I would come from the other side of the world to be here today

The Prime Minister is accompanied to the villages of the Greek minority in Albania by Olympic gold medalist Pirros Dimas, who visibly touched and spoke about the historic day and characteristically said: “I would come from the other side of the world, I would not miss it for anything.”

“Today is a very important day. I would not miss it for anything. This is a historic day for Heimarra and for all of us Heimarriots. Thank you Prime Minister for visiting. I would not miss it for anything, I would have come from the other end of light. Thank you very much,” said Mr. Dimas.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis became the first Greek Prime Minister to visit these areas since 1991, when Konstantinos Mitsotakis visited them.

The Prime Minister visited the Omiros Greek-language school, where 145 children study and 17 teachers teach. Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave a tour of the school grounds and talked to the students. “I have come to tell you what a great job you are doing in preserving the Greek language, traditions and Orthodoxy, and to know that we are always by your side,” the Prime Minister said, addressing the teachers. Immediately after that, he visited the Church of All Saints, which is located in the school yard.

The Prime Minister then delivered a brief welcome to over 300 expatriates in the courtyard of the Lefteris Stalios United Lyceum in Livadia, the second stop of his visit.

Mr. Mitsotakis, in his welcome, was optimistic about the signing of a co-contract on the delimitation of the EEZ with Albania and insisted that this is the appropriate way to resolve disputes between civilized countries.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this welcome. From the heart. My dear Freddy friends, I want you to know that today is indeed a special moment for me, but I believe it is also a great moment for Hellenism everywhere on earth.

I still vividly remember the visit of Konstantinos Mitsotakis here, to these lands, in 1991. I’m sure some of you were there.

And I am honored to be the first Prime Minister of Greece to visit Heimarra. I want to thank you very much for keeping the flame of Hellenism and Orthodoxy in your heart during very difficult years, and I mean especially the eldest of you.

And I want you to know that in my person the Greek national minority of Albania will always have not only a friend, but also a constant supporter of your just demands.

You who have chosen to stay here in Heimarra are a bridge of friendship and cooperation between Greece and Albania.

And I want you to know that personally I was, am and will remain a supporter of Albania’s European path. And, of course, Albania’s duty in the context of its rapprochement with Europe is to fully respect your own rights. Do we mean the right to self-determination, do we mean the right that your children and grandchildren can continue to learn Greek at all levels, as they already do, or do we mean the key issue, here in Heimarr , about protecting your property rights.

And I believe that in the spirit of cooperation and friendship with the Government of Albania, all these issues can and will be resolved, I personally guarantee this to you. As we address the issue of uninsured seniors and your pension rights, I want you to know that the Greek government will always be by your side, as all Greek governments have been by your side, this is what we must do and this is what what we will do.

I also want to tell you that Greece, our Greece, has left behind the great adventures of the past decade. It is a stronger, more economically developing country. And the better our Greece is, the better it will be for you. And this path that we have blazed for a strong Greece with self-confidence in Europe, we will walk it and we will walk it together.

I want to tell you how touched I was when I had the opportunity to visit your school today, when I saw how little children from kindergarten to 3rd grade are learning Greek, Albanian, English. This is the next generation of children who need to stay in their country, have opportunities, have good jobs, and while Albania is suffering, these children will also be suffering with it. And we are here to help in this advancement of Hellenism. Greece is growing, growing and getting stronger.

Finally, I want to tell you that today I have the great pleasure to be accompanied by one of your people, your man, who lifted the whole of Greece on his back and shoulders.

We were all moved to tears by his success, and I’m sure he, too, is feeling special emotions today to be back in his seat and seeing so many of you together and raising Greek flags. Pirros, thank you very much for everything you have done for Greece, for everything you have done for your fellow citizens.

You know, I visited you three weeks ago. Unfortunately, we had some problems with fog in the mountains. But I made a promise that I would come and visit you before the time was up. And, you know, I fulfill my obligations. Cheers, thanks for this welcome. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, health and happiness to you and your families.”

According to APE