Dr. Olga Sarantopoulos, Secretary of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, met this week in Athens with the Governing Board of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association.

Present in the meeting were Demetrios Giannaros, State Representative in the State of Connecticut and President of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association, Nikos Papadopoulos, AοΏ½ Vice-president, MP of the Swedish Parliament, Fanos Theofanous, BοΏ½ Vice-president in the Association, Minister of Energy in the State of Victoria, Australia and Leonidas Raprakis, treasurer, US Senator (D-RI).

The members of the Governing Board, briefed Dr. Sarantopoulos, on the latest developments of the Association, as most recently, WHIA, was established as a non-governmental organization, legalized by the Greek State.

During the meeting, the two parties once more confirmed the excellent level of cooperation and expressed their intention to strengthen it , joining their forces in organizing events of scientific and cultural interest for the Omogeneia.

After the meeting, Dr Sarantopoulos stated : οΏ½I am very pleased for having the chance to  discuss and exchange views with the most distinguished members of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association, with whom we have coooperated in the past. Our goal is to promote ideas and implement actions with a positive effect in the OmogeneiaοΏ½.

Dr. Sarantopoulos, was also present in the AssociationοΏ½s meeting held with the President of the Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr Evgenios Haitides, and the Vice-President of the Committee, Mr. Grigorios Niotis.

The members of the Governing Board of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association, concluded a three day visit to Athens, where they held meetings with government officials.
Specifically, they met with his Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece, Christodoulos, the minister of Mercantile Marine, Mr Manolis K. Kefalogiannis, the Minister of National Defence Mr Spilios Spiliotopoulos and others.
 

        Athens, January 12, 2006