In the 4th episode of the “The Ambassadors Series” ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ International Edition was invited into the iconic home of the late Melina Mercouri in Athens, where the British Ambassador to Greece, Matthew Lodge gave us a warm welcome.
Representing the United Kingdom since 2021 in Athens, Matthew Lodge explained his country’s positions on a number of pressing matters on the global stage, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and how the West should come together to address the rising geopolitical challenges. Mr. Lodge informs us about a recent event hosted by the UK Embassy in Athens where the UNHCR representative in Greece presented an initiative about refugee inclusion in fostering business development and community awareness called “Unlocking Growth: How Refugee Integration Can Strengthen Businesses.
“It’s about the human and forward-looking element,” he explains of how refugees granted asylum status can be better integrated into society by utilizing their talents and skills.
Mr. Lodge places great significance on the potency of cultural and educational exchange between Greece and the UK citing the role of the British Council in promoting stronger bonds. “It plays a fundamental role in the breadth of a relationship that is about much more than government to government,” he says, adding “It’s about reflecting a shared history.
On the war in Ukraine and the shift in U.S. policy under the Trump administration, the British Ambassador explains that it is time for Europe (the EU and the UK) to step up their efforts in support of Ukraine militarily but also to think about refocusing more urgently on shaping the European defense architecture. He says the UK is in favor of a peaceful solution to the war but with tangible guarantees for Ukraine’s security.
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