Greek-Australian Community Frustrated Over Visa Agreement

As Neos Kosmos reports, the visa program has not yet been tabled by the Hellenic Parliament and must be signed by seven governmental Ministers, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, National Economy, Health, Labor, Education and Development.

Greek Ambassador to Australia Haris Dafaranos described governmental acts to the Greek-Australian news portal, "There is a ratification process which is continuing, and we the embassy have asked the competent authorities to expedite the process as soon as possible".

Australia's Greek community has grown impatient and is now frustrated with the visa agreement's pace. Victorian Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, who participated in the visa's introduction with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Kosta Tsiaras last year, stated to Neos Kosmos, "given the protracted nature of this visa coming into affect, one can only now question the will of the Greek Government."

Vamvakinou added, "One has to ask, beyond due process, what other reasons might there be for their bureaucracy to stall?...Australia's Greek community are frustrated over this issue, and are asking serious questions as to the Greek Government's commitment to introducing the visa".

Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria President Bill Papastergiadis claimed he was, "dismayed and disappointed...We had a senior minister here in May who apparently ratified the agreement and we've heard absolutely nothing since".

The Greek Orthodox Community President further commented,
"What the situation tells us, is that there is a complete lack of interest by the Greek Government on this issue, an issue so vital to the diaspora in Australia...We will now write to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on this matter to ask him personally to intervene and expedite the agreement".