Thursday, January 22, 2015
Intercontinental Hotel
(As Prepared)
Αξιότιμες κυρίες και κύριοι καλησπέρα σας!
Σας ευχαριστώ θερμά για την πρόσκληση που μου κάνατε να παραστώ απόψε εδω στην κοπή της ετήσιας πίτας.
Είναι μεγάλη μου τιμή!
Thank you for having me here again this year to cut the Vasilopita with you. What I like best about a tradition like this is that it transcends our daily concerns. Regardless of politics, regardless of business, regardless of how things in the world may be at any given time, it’s good to take a moment every now and then to come together, and to share in these wonderful traditions.
This year like last year, we will face both challenges and opportunities. The challenges are to preserve the economic progress that has been made, strengthen Greece’s recovery, and achieve long-term prosperity. The opportunities will come too. In my short time here I’ve seen that the measures taken and sacrifices made over the past few years are paying off, and hopefully will result in a more competitive, modern and prosperous economy. Needless to say, the work is not yet done, but it can be done, and we believe it will be done.
Looking ahead, we all know there will be a very important election on Sunday. Whatever the result, I am certain of this: U.S. interests in Greece will not change. Our interest has been, and remains, seeing Greece emerge from this long economic winter stronger, and stable, and playing a stabilizing role in this region. So I am confident that the U.S.-Greek partnership will continue, today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
On that note, it’s an honor to be here representing the United States, and millions of Greek-Americans who are sharing in this tradition back home. I want to wish everyone the best for the New Year.
