Meeting in Dublin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terens Quick, and the Irish Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon, agreed on the immediate launching of Greek-Irish cooperation on diaspora affairs. According to Mr. Quick, “The meeting was very productive. We agreed to immediately start cooperation between the two countries on Diaspora issues. In fact, I was very honoured by my colleague’s proposal that we start with cultural actions, given the Irish people’s appreciation for Greece’s global contribution through language and culture.“Let’s not forget,” he stressed, “that the Irish Diaspora is a huge force, numbering over 60 million, of whom 30 million are in the U.S., with very strong political influence. We should also bear in mind something very important that we have in common. As we do with Cyprus. Our thirst and struggles for Freedom. An inextinguishable flame that burns in all three of our hearts.”“I believe that the Cypriot Commissioner for Overseas Cypriots, Fotis Fotiou, will soon visit Dublin so that we can further systematize our cooperation all together. What’s more, Ireland makes a major contribution to the UN blue berets in Cyprus. And their vessels in the Mediterranean do exceptional work, rescuing shipwrecked migrants who have embarked from North Africa, mainly on their way to Italy. We find this especially moving, as we are experiencing the migration and refugee drama first hand.”The Irish Minister of State for the Diaspora briefed Mr. Quick on the return of young Irish immigrants to their homeland following their country’s recovery from its recent economic crisis.Ireland’s brain drain resulted in 250,000 departures, while its reverse brain drain programme is so far prompting a steady 500 returns per week, Mr. Cannon said.
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