Address by the First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Ladies and gentlemen.

It is an honour and a pleasure to welcome to Central Macedonia and to Thessaloniki the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, for a very special and extremely symbolic event, during these trying times.

The Empress Theophano Prize, just a few years after being established in 2020 at the initiative of the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Theophano Foundation, Stavros Andreadis,

with the support of the Region of Central Macedonia, has stood out as a leading world-class institution of global range, that contributes decisively to the extroversion of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, and Greece.

This institution reflects the work and the insight of Stavros Andreadis, a man who succeeded in turning ambition into results and ideas into action, and who deserves the warmest congratulations.

Ladies and gentlemen.

The Empress Theophano Prize is an institution that promotes the European ideal, the history of Europe, and our shared values, humanitarianism, solidarity, democracy, peace, cooperation, and our shared European identity.

It is an institution that unwaveringly highlights the value of mutual understanding between peoples and respect towards all different civilizations and cultures.

At the same time, based in Thessaloniki, which has over the millennia served as a leading cultural crossroads, the Empress Theophano Prize places a spotlight on our home city for the entire world to see, while it also promotes the values that modern Greece stands for and the great and steady steps the region of Central Macedonia is making as a land of creation and extroversion, as it now has a powerful role and a voice that is heard at European decision-making centres.

Ladies and gentlemen,

as I mentioned earlier, at this critical moment in time, with two conflicts underway in our broader “neighbourhood”, awarding Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres is the most powerful symbolism for the global demand and effort to find just and sustainable solutions that will safely lead to a better period of peace.

And, naturally, in the person of Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, we are honouring and awarding his lifelong work and the tireless efforts of the United Nations for real solidarity and humanitarianism as the foundations for dealing with global challenges and crises.

Besides, it is our shared goal to build bridges between the nations, because that is the only road to progress and prosperity, so that every person can feel safe where they live.

The answer to challenges, conflict, and crises is more understanding and more solidarity.

This is the symbolism and the powerful message of the Empress Theophano Prize in 2023.

Congratulations to Stavros Andreadis, once again.

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, congratulations for your award and for your incredible work.

It is an honour to welcome to Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki.

Thank you.