Ambassador Tiglao congratulates Greek President Papoulias at the Presidential Palace.

Philippine Ambassador to Athens Rigoberto Tiglao congratulated 17 March 2010  His Excellency Karolos Papoulias for his reelection by Parliament as President of Greece  in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace. President Papoulias is a veteran leader of the ruling  PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) party.  He is very much respected by all political parties that he was also President even under the previous administration of the New Democracy Party, which lost in the October elections.

Ambassador Tiglao also delivered  the congratulatory letter to President Papoulias of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

President Arroyo’s letter reads as follows.

25 March 2010

Excellency,

On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, I wish to convey to Your Excellency and the Greek people our warmest greetings on the occasion of the 189^th anniversary of the Declaration of the Independence of the Hellenic Republic.

The Philippines joins Greece, the birthplace of democracy, in celebrating the common heritage of freedom as it continues to resonate throughout the modern world.  Greek Independence Day also serves as an occasion to honor the legacy of liberty that unites our two countries.

The lasting friendship that our nations have forged is founded on the common ideals of justice and dignity of every human being.  We acknowledge the contribution that the Greeks have made to the Filipino nation and look forward to the deepening of our ties in the coming years.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration.

(Signed)

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Republic of the Philippines