Address by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou

Dear Mr Andreadis,

Unfortunately, prior commitments will hinder me from attending the 4^th awarding of the Pan-European Empress Theophano Prize, an institution that recognises and honours individuals or organisations that contribute to the strengthening of the shared European ideal. An award such as the one you have established, highlights in an especially resounding way all the things that bring us together as Europeans; it underlines, through its nominations, the principles, values, and ties that shape our common identity; and it points out how peoples become richer through their differences, when they don’t lead to conflict or, to put it differently, when they are not viewed as obstacles, but rather as bridges of mutual understanding and mutual respect.

I consider it particularly important that this year’s award is going to the United Nations, the largest international Organisation in the world, in the person of Secretary-General António Guterres. At this critical moment for our planet, with two violent and bloody military conflicts taking place in Ukraine and the Middle East, this award stresses the modern world’s need for peaceful coexistence of the peoples, respect of human rights, cooperation, and sustainable development for the good of humankind.

I pray that the Theophano Foundation continues and further broadens this noble initiative.

Sincerely,

Katerina Sakellaropoulou