SPEECH
BY SHRI K.R.NARAYANAN, PRESIDENT OF INDIA, WHILE RECEIVING CREDENTIALS FROM MR. EFSTATHIOS
LOZOS, AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF GREECE
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 21, 2002
Excellency,
I
have great pleasure in welcoming you to India and accepting the letter
of credence from President Constantinos Stephanopoulos accrediting you
as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to India.
The
contacts between India and Greece date back to the early fourth century
B.C. when Alexander the Great – known to us in India as Sikandar – reached
the upper valleys of the river Indus. Even earlier, India and Greece constituted
the highway between the East and the West. This interface between our
peoples has left its imprint on political, social and cultural relations
between our two civilizations. The Gandhara school of art is a symbol
of the fusion of Greek and Indian art forms. Indian and Greek philosophers
have also influenced each other over the centuries.
Today
our cordial relations are based on the common pillars of respect for democratic
values and institutions, rule of law with an independent judiciary and
a free press, while our bilateral ties are marked by regular political
contacts at all levels. The visit of your President MR. Constantinos Stephanopoulos
to India in January 1998, of your Prime Minister to India in February
2001 followed by the visit of your Foreign Minister in November 2001 were
occasions for very useful exchange of views on a wide range of issues
of bilateral and international concern. I am confident that the momentum
provided by these visits will be sustained in the future.
Keeping
pace with modern times, our bilateral relationship has today acquired
a multidimensional character with exchanges in the fields of trade and
commerce, science and technology and culture. However, the vast amount
of goodwill amongst our peoples needs to be reflected more adequately
in the economic interaction between our two countries. In a globalised
world, we must seek out each other’s potential to our mutual benefit.
The Indian economy is opening up and offers an attractive destination
to Greek entrepreneurs. On our part, we look forward to participating
in infrastructure projects in Greece where we have the requisite technology
and competitive ability.
The
Hellenic Republic is at the heart of modern Europe and would be taking
over the Presidency of the European Union in January next year. We believe
that as in ancient times when Greece was the highway between India and
Europe, you will be a bridge for India to the European Union. We also
recognise your country’s central position as a gateway to the Balkans
and your unique role in promoting democracy and stability in the region,
being the only country in that part of Europe which is a member of both
the EU and NATO.
Excellency,
we find ourselves in a new international environment today that has been
completely transformed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, October
1 and December 13, 2001. These attacks have dramatically underscored the
fact that terrorism is a global menace transcending borders and regions.
India has waged a struggle against terrorism for over two decades. We
look forward to cooperating with like-minded countries like yours in the
global fight against this scourge of the 21st century.
Greece
has been chosen to host the next Olympic Games in 2004. We welcome the
return of the Games of the birth-place of the Olympic spirit.
Excellency,
we value our relationship with Greece and hope that we can consolidate
this relationship in the coming years through further initiatives in both
bilateral and multilateral spheres.
I
wish you a successful and pleasant tenure in India and assure you of the
fullest cooperation of my government in the discharge of your duties
Thank you
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