Diplomacy in the Age of Geopolitical Revisions. In the Footsteps of Alexandros Carathéodory

This event stood out for its originality. The dialogue between Greek-speaking and French-speaking experts highlighted a particular perspective on the current period, during which Greek and French positions are significantly converging. The conference also linked the historical approach with reflection on the present and the future.

The conference proceedings began with a reference to the personality of Alexander Carathéodory, the head of the Ottoman delegation at the Berlin Congress (1878). The discussion revolved around whether and to what extent knowledge of the conditions of the distant past can shed light on contemporary dilemmas. It focused, therefore, on how the diplomatic skill of the Phanariote Alexander Carathéodory contributed to addressing geopolitical threats in the 19th century. Professor Stefanos Geroulanos, a family descendant, referred in detail to his work and legacy, as a source of inspiration and optimism in today's intense international turmoil.

The conference was attended by prominent figures from politics, diplomacy and the academic community. The keynote speaker was Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council during the Greek crisis, who presented a systematic assessment of the European project in the current context. He stressed the need for unity, for courageous leadership, for the revival of the spiritual dimension in European construction. He was introduced in detail by the then Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos.

Also speaking were Mrs. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, former President of the Republic, Dimitris Avramopoulos, Angelos Syrigos, Stelios Perrakis, Anastasios-Ioannis Metaxas and other distinguished academics and researchers. The former French Minister of Labour Muriel Pénicaud, the former Director of the OECD Development Centre Mario Pezzini, the demographer Gerard Dumont, the geographer André Louchet and other academics contributed to the international nature of the discussions with their interventions.

During the first part of the conference, emphasis was placed on geopolitical developments. The changing relations between maritime and continental powers were discussed, as well as the consequences of technological developments that make it difficult to ensure freedom of navigation. Particular reference was made to the major demographic changes, the crisis of the West and the rise of the countries of the Global South.

In the second part, the discussion focused on the necessary adjustments to strengthen the role of international organisations and diplomacy. The excessive pessimism that leads to inertia and exacerbates adverse developments was criticized. It was pointed out that the international community and diplomacy have deep historical roots and, despite the difficulties and current challenges, are unlikely to disappear.

Nea Orestiada, the birthplace of Alexandros Karatheodoris, gave a special tone to the functional framework of the conference. The “Karatheodoris Family Heritage” Association contributed decisively to the reception and tour of the conference participants in the area, with emphasis on the homonymous Museum. Professor Emeritus of the Sorbonne Mr. George Prevelakis, in coordination with Professor Mr. Stefanos Geroulanos, president of the Association and in collaboration with the director of the company In Session Events Mr. Panagiotis Kalantzis, conceived the theme of the conference and contributed to the organization and smooth development of the discussions.

The Ethnological Museum of Thrace and its “soul” and director, Mrs. Angela Giannakidou, as well as Mrs. Katerina Xyla, president of the Centre Culturel Hellenique, contributed substantially to the organization and realization of this conference, which was held under the auspices of His Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

They were also sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, the Embassy of the French Republic in Greece and the French Institute, while their support was provided by the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Municipality of Orestiada, the Motor Oil Hellas company, the Eugenides Foundation, the ‘Aegeas’ Foundation, the Captain Vasilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the Bodossaki Lectures on Demand-BLOD, (electronic lecture library (blod.gr) of the Bodossaki Foundation).

The Greek-French Applied Dialogues highlighted the importance of historical and geographical knowledge, international cooperation and diplomacy, as essential tools for understanding and addressing contemporary global challenges.