Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. T. Quick in Imbros: “We will support the vision of the Greeks of Imbros to live again on their island with dignity and integrity”

The Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Terens Quick, is visiting the island of Imbros, located in the Aegean Sea, at the entrance of Saros Bay, to attend the ceremony of the cutting of the New Year’s Cake for the island’s Hellenic schools by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Deputy Minister visited yesterday the Middle School/High School of Agridion, as well as the Primary School of Saints Theodore. The village of Saint Theodore is the birthplace of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. After meeting with the children in Agridia, the remote village inhabited mostly by Greeks, and after visiting the primary school in Saint Theodore, Mr Quick talked to Greek News Agency ANA-MPA about the need to further support the Greeks who live on the island:

“The Ecumenical Patriarch’s efforts to reopen Greek schools in Imbros, after half a century of being closed, have truly succeeded beyond all expectations. I also thanked the Prefect of Imbros the island, whose contribution was very important in this whole process, as I expressed my gratitude to all teachers who have come from Greece, many of which originate from Imvros ” .

Mr Quick added: “It’s good to see Greek children either returning to this historic place, or being born here, giving new life and a new character to the island of Imbros. As far as the Greek state is concerned, and in cooperation with the unions and associations of Imbriots in Athens and Thessaloniki, with our diplomatic and with the local authorities, we will do everything we can to support in a solid and substantial way, the vision of the Greeks of Imbros that want to live again on their island with the dignity and integrity that they deserve. “

Mr Quick also met members of the Greek community in other villages of the island, as well as with representatives from the Imbrian Associations of Athens and Thessaloniki. Furthermore, yesterday morning he attended a formal meeting with the Prefect of Imbros, Mr. Muhittin Gürel.

Mr. Quick was accompanied by the Consul General of Greece to Istanbul, Mr. George Sekeris, and his Diplomatic Counselor, Mr. Victor Maligoudis.

Tomorrow January 18, prior to his return to Athens, Mr. Quick will attend the Holy Liturgy to the Virgin Mary, which will be celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos, officiated by Metropolitan Cyril of Imbros and Tenedos, who also celebrates his name day tomorrow.

Source: ANA – MPA