Following an invitation extended by the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) “APOSTOLI” (Mission) of the Church of Greece, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos and the Bavarian State Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Ms Christine Haderthauer visited the Organisation’s food storage depots which are in the “Captain Kapotas” military camp at Menidi-Attica and were given away to the NGO by the Ministry of National Defence.

The two Ministers were briefed by the Director General Mr. Kostis Dimtsas on the NGO’s “APOSTOLI” initiatives and activities.

After the completion of their visit, Mr. Panagiotopoulos and Ms Haderthauer (who is visiting Greece invited by the NGO “APOSTOLI”) and Mr. Dimtsas, made the following statements:

P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: We welcome the Bavarian Minister’s of Labour visit here, at our camp, at the installations given away by the Ministry of National Defence to the Church of Greece and the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and All Greece, so as to carry out the great mission of social protection during these difficult times we are experiencing in Greece.

I would like to underline that it is among our priorities that both peoples –the Greek and the German- come closer and that we all realise that the big problems of social cohesion, social exclusion and social privation faced currently by numerous social groups, due to austerity policies that have caused a tremendous increase of unemployment –among others- do not touch only Greece. They are problems concerning the entire Europe, since the building of united Europe, as it was perceived and constructed by the great visionary politicians –among which was K. Adenauer- included open society, free economy, social protection, social solidarity, policies in favour of social cohesion. For these policies, the Church of Greece and the Hellenic state do their best to support the weak during such hard times.

I believe that the Minister’s visit will further contribute to Bavarians, and the German Government in general, understanding the Greek problem and it will also help to having policies in favour of growth, employment, new working posts for the entire Europe, so as to fight poverty and a traumatised social cohesion.

The Greeks are dignified and proud. They want growth in order to be able to develop again. All Europe needs growth.

I would like to thank once more the Minister for her presence here and I would like to say as a delegate of the Greek government, that we are ready to cooperate: the governments and the non-governmental organisations, under the supervision of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and All Greece, so as to be able to carry out this mission which not only concerns the Greek people, but the entire Europe and all European peoples.

Once again, thank you.

CHRISTINE HADERTHAUER: I would also like to thank you Mr. Minister for the time you have dedicated to us today. Indeed, this is a visit I am making not only in order to be briefed, but also in order to send out a political message. This message, more than the financial support that is being offered to Greece, is to recognize the fact that Greece has the will and the pride, you have also referred to, to stand on its feet and face the needs efficiently. It is very impressive for me to see that though the cooperation and help of the church but also of the entire society, you have managed to offer this kind of help to the families in need.

All this for me, as Minister for Family and Social Affairs of Bavaria, is very important. I understand the effort expended on and hidden under these kinds of initiatives. I believe that the children are everyone’s future and for this reason I fully support such initiatives and will continue supporting them from Germany as well.

K. DIMTSAS: I would like to thank the Bavarian Minister for Labour of the German government for her visit; I would like to specially thank the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos for his presence here today. It is a public recognition for the Ministry’s of National Defence contribution to the NGO’s effort. The heart of the NGO “APOSTOLI”, the heart of the Church, lies here. Without the concession of this installation, its security and the volunteered effort of all, this great action for man wouldn’t have been possible. The Church will carry on supporting the people who are suffering.