Meetings with the Victorian Parliament, community organisations, and the Greek diaspora
As part of his official tour of Australia and New Zealand, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis-Michail Loverdos, will visit Melbourne on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 October 2025. Representing the Greek Government, Mr Loverdos will engage in a series of high-level meetings with political leaders, institutions, and community organisations.
During his stay, Mr Loverdos will visit the Parliament of Victoria, where he will meet with ministers and Members of Parliament of Greek heritage. The discussions will reaffirm the historic bonds that unite Greece and Australia—particularly through the strong and active Greek community of Victoria.
A key highlight of the visit will be his tour of the Hellenic Museum of Melbourne and the Greek Media Group on Thursday 16 October, accompanied by a distinguished Greek delegation. The official delegation includes:
- Mr Ioannis-Michail Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece
- Mr Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece to Australia and New Zealand
- Mr Athanasios Balerbas, Secretary-General for Interior and Organisation, Ministry of the Interior
- Mr Dimitrios Karnavos, Secretary-General for Citizenship
- Ms Aikaterini Ouli, Director-General for Citizenship
- Ms Dimitra Georgantzoglou, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne
This visit forms part of a broader program of engagement with cultural and media institutions, aimed at strengthening Greece’s relationship with the diaspora and showcasing the cultural contributions of Hellenism abroad.
Later that evening, an open community discussion will take place at the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture, organised by the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne. The event will feature the two Secretaries-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Mr Balerbas and Mr Karnavos, who will brief attendees on key administrative issues such as registration, municipal records, and Greek citizenship procedures. Members of the community will have the opportunity to ask questions, exchange views, and offer suggestions for improving these processes.
On Friday 17 October, the Deputy Minister will lay a wreath at the Hellenic Australian Memorial, followed by a visit to Oakleigh Grammar. Later in the day, he will visit the Holy Monastery of Chora, where he will be received by Bishop Eumenios of Chora.
Mr Loverdos will conclude his Melbourne program with a press conference at the Consulate General of Greece, joined by Mr Balerbas, Mr Karnavos, and Ambassador Venizelos.
The Deputy Minister’s wider tour includes Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, and New Zealand (Wellington and Auckland). He has already met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia, members of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, and representatives from the Church, education, and diaspora organisations.
Mr Loverdos’ visit to Melbourne carries strong symbolic significance, reaffirming the Greek Government’s enduring commitment to remain close to the Greek diaspora—supporting its institutions, strengthening cultural identity, and encouraging the community’s active participation in Greece’s civic life.
