Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender paid a state visit to the Hellenic Republic from 10 to 12 October.
The Federal President first visited the memorial site of the Chaidari National Socialist concentration camp near the Greek capital. He then layed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens before being welcomed with military honours by President Prokopios Pavlopoulos. Thereafter he had political talks inter alia with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and met with young people including some who are active in the cultural sphere. The Federal President gave a speech at a ceremony where he received an honorary doctorate from the Law Faculty of the University of Athens.
On the second day of the state visit, the Federal President traveled with President Prokopios Pavlopoulos to his hometown Kalamata. There he visited the excavation site of Ancient Messini and met young start-up entrepreneurs for talks.
Overview of the programme:
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
- Afternoon
Flight to Athens, Greece
Thursday, 11 October 2018
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Chaidari former concentration camp
- Wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Presidential Palace
Welcome with military honours by Prokopios Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, followed by talks
thereafter signing of the statutes of the German-Greek Youth Office (tbc) - Official seat of the Prime Minister
Talks with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras - Culture Centre of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Discussion with German-Greek young people - Delegation hotel
Talks with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the Opposition - Talks with Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias
Athens University
Speech at the presentation of an honorary doctorate by Athens University
- Presidential Palace
State banquet
Friday, 12 October 2018
- Messini
Visit Ancient Messini - Kalamata
Walk through Kalamata, presentation of the Golden Key by the Mayor - Lunch with Greek start-up entrepreneurs
- Afternoon
Flight to Berlin