Pretoria - Visiting Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis has said that his country is ready to give South Africa any assistance required to make the 2010 FIFA World Cup a success.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe at the Union Buildings on the second day of his seven-day visit to South Africa, Mr Kassimis said that Greece, having had experience hosting world tournaments, would help South Africa in any way needed in the run-up to the soccer event.
"We are ready to give our assistance especially in terms of hospitality, the tourism sector," he said. "We are ready to help so that [South Africa] can have a very successful tournament."
Mr Kassimis compared his delegation's visit as that of a mother's visit to a daughter using former President Nelson Mandela reference to Greece as the "mother of democracy" and South Africa, a daughter of democracy.
Mr Kassimis and Ms van der Merwe had a general discussion prior to the press briefing during which they discussed issues ranging from the situation in Balkans to trade and investment prospects for Greece in South Africa.
"We agreed that we can do more in terms of trade and investment," said Ms van der Merwe.
Mr Kassimis said that steps would be taken soon to ensure that ideas derived from the discussions were acted on.
He said he will lead a group of Greek businesspeople to South Africa in the near future in order to identify trade and investment opportunities with the South African Chamber of commerce and within the civil sector.
"We had a very good dialogue about the development of this area," said Mr Kassimis. He said they agreed there is alot to do, especially in terms of economic opportunities.
"Greeks believe in the future of the economy of South Africa," said the Greek deputy minister adding that people from his country were willing to invest in South Africa because of this belief.
Mr Kassimis said he was very happy to be in South Africa as aside from strengthening bilateral ties with the country, he was also opening the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) in Pretoria during his trip.
"We consider is very important that the [SAE] base is here in South Africa," he said.
The role of the council, according to Mr Kassimis, is to co-ordinate all Greek organisations in Africa and to allow these organisations to co-ordinate with Greece.
He said that the SAE would allow for increased communication in particular with second and third generation Greeks who live abroad and who have additional responsibility to convey the Greek culture and history in the countries which they live in.
The council also aims to promote the teaching of Greek to second and third generation Greeks, as well as other South Africans.
"Our goal is to enhance the intervention, presence in the cultural field, both by having a stronger presence here and by initiating more visits to Greece," he said.
At present the Hellenic community is South Africa is estimated at 60 000 and Mr Kassimis' visit also marks the commemoration of the centennial of the Greek community in Pretoria. -
Speaking at a joint press briefing with South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe at the Union Buildings on the second day of his seven-day visit to South Africa, Mr Kassimis said that Greece, having had experience hosting world tournaments, would help South Africa in any way needed in the run-up to the soccer event.
"We are ready to give our assistance especially in terms of hospitality, the tourism sector," he said. "We are ready to help so that [South Africa] can have a very successful tournament."
Mr Kassimis compared his delegation's visit as that of a mother's visit to a daughter using former President Nelson Mandela reference to Greece as the "mother of democracy" and South Africa, a daughter of democracy.
Mr Kassimis and Ms van der Merwe had a general discussion prior to the press briefing during which they discussed issues ranging from the situation in Balkans to trade and investment prospects for Greece in South Africa.
"We agreed that we can do more in terms of trade and investment," said Ms van der Merwe.
Mr Kassimis said that steps would be taken soon to ensure that ideas derived from the discussions were acted on.
He said he will lead a group of Greek businesspeople to South Africa in the near future in order to identify trade and investment opportunities with the South African Chamber of commerce and within the civil sector.
"We had a very good dialogue about the development of this area," said Mr Kassimis. He said they agreed there is alot to do, especially in terms of economic opportunities.
"Greeks believe in the future of the economy of South Africa," said the Greek deputy minister adding that people from his country were willing to invest in South Africa because of this belief.
Mr Kassimis said he was very happy to be in South Africa as aside from strengthening bilateral ties with the country, he was also opening the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) in Pretoria during his trip.
"We consider is very important that the [SAE] base is here in South Africa," he said.
The role of the council, according to Mr Kassimis, is to co-ordinate all Greek organisations in Africa and to allow these organisations to co-ordinate with Greece.
He said that the SAE would allow for increased communication in particular with second and third generation Greeks who live abroad and who have additional responsibility to convey the Greek culture and history in the countries which they live in.
The council also aims to promote the teaching of Greek to second and third generation Greeks, as well as other South Africans.
"Our goal is to enhance the intervention, presence in the cultural field, both by having a stronger presence here and by initiating more visits to Greece," he said.
At present the Hellenic community is South Africa is estimated at 60 000 and Mr Kassimis' visit also marks the commemoration of the centennial of the Greek community in Pretoria. -
By Sholain Govender BuaNews
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