ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was awarded the "AHEPA Socrates Award" late on Wednesday by the president of AHEPA, George Horiates.

"You have chosen to come to Greece this year, something that has a special historical significance, 200 years since the Greeks rose up to fight for their freedom, to establish the first nation-state in the Balkan Peninsula. A revolution inspired by the American Founding Fathers and the stable and enduring relationship between the two countries which is becoming increasingly strong," the prime minister said.

"We have fought side by side in all the major wars. We have always supported freedom, dignity and the pursuit of prosperity. And indeed, at this particular moment, I believe that we can reflect on what we have achieved as a country, a country that would never be what it is today without the strength of the Greek community abroad. Thank you for everything you have done for Greece. Thank you for everything you have done for the Hellenism," he underlined.

Mr Antonis H. Diamataris, Advisor to the Publishers of Ethnikos Kirix/The National Herald and past Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece with responsibility for Hellenes Abroad, at the 99th Supreme Convention of AHEPA, in Athens, July 28 2021. (Photo by Eurokinissi/Tatiana Bollari)

Mitsotakis expressed his joy and optimism for the relationship between the Greek state and AHEPA and stressed that "the dynamism of the Greek-American community is encouraging."

"This is the right time to get closer to Greece. You have stood by us in difficult times. Now, I firmly believe that the best moments are ahead of us and that a hopeful future opens up for our country. I want you, I want the Greek American community, I want AHEPA to be part of this promising future. And when we meet again and when we take stock of what we have achieved we can be really proud, proud to be Greeks, proud to be part of a global community of Greeks, in Greece and abroad, who always strives to achieve the best for our country," the prime minister said.