Greece and Bolivia share struggles for democracy

"You had the opportunity to visit the Acropolis, to be at a unique monument that belongs to a universal civilisation," Tsipras said. "You had the opportunity to visit the cradle of democracy, where democracy was born. This is significant because you are struggling for democracy and social justice in your country, and it was worth visiting Greece even for a few hours, at this important monument."

The prime minister said that he and Morales discussed developments in Latin America, "the beautiful struggle (Morales) are giving for the common values and struggles all democratic and progressive people undertake throughout the world for more democracy, freedom, independence and social justice."

The common struggle of peoples "against every form of oppression and totalitarianism is more than ever necessary today, and must be faced by all of us together against the new challenges we are facing," the Greek premier said.

Tsipras expressed all best wishes for the democratic future of the country and noted that Morales' message to the European and Greek peoples through his visit is that "struggles, when they are undertaken for significant stakes, when they are struggles based on values and ideals, become effective struggles."

The Bolivian president expressed his enthusiasm at his first visit to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, a long-standing wish of his, as he said. The Acropolis is a monument of all humanity, and represents what Greece brought to human civilisation, teaching democracy, focused on the individual identity of human beings and taught dignity, he noted.

"It was truly worth it to come and admire this monument that expresses a society which managed to organise itself as a democracy before Christ and teach respect of human beings and of human dignity," Morales said. "As we know, history repeats itself throughout the ages. What began with the ancient Greek civilisation before Christ - the public things organised collectively on the premise of respecting equality between human beings - this is what we are called upon today to turn into a reality through our common work," he added.

"Latin America and the Caribbean are known globally as fighters on behalf of a multifaceted dimension of international law, a multifaceted view on global issues, something which means working together to the benefit of humanity," the Bolivian president said.

Morales concluded, "My brother, Alexi, thank you for my first visit to Greece. I will await you with great love - it would be an honour for us - to welcome you to Bolivia."