Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras received Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall at the government headquarters in the Maximos Mansion on Wednesday, during the royal couple’s official visit to Greece. Thanking the Greek prime minister for his warm reception, the Prince of Wales referred to his previous visits to the country and his certainty that Greece and Britain can achieve much by cooperating in areas such as security, migration and others.
Noting that this was a first official visit by a member of the British royal family to Athens, Tsipras said it could be a milestone in relations between Greece and the United Kingdom. Tsipras also used the opportunity to announce that he had accepted an invitation from British Prime Minister Theresa May to visit London in June.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Greece. I know that you have visited Greece many times in the past, but privately. This means that you love our country. It is the first time, however, that you are visiting Greece in your official capacity and, as I was recently informed, it is the first time that a member of the British royal family is carrying out an official visit to Greece,” Tsipras said.
“I consider that this is a very important event and I believe, also, that your visit can be a landmark in our bilateral relations. Especially now, when both our countries are facing crucial turning points in their history. And this is the reason why I believe we have to enhance our cooperation even more,” he added.
Replying to the Greek premier Prince Charles said that his official visit to Greece was an opportunity to point out the ties between the two countries, which went back a long way. He expressed hope that Greece and the UK will continue those things that they already share and achieve a great many things as regards security and migration and the major challenges the two countries face.
He also thanked the Greek government for its support and cooperation in all areas, expressing his conviction that the great friendship between the two countries will continue in the future.
