09-01-2006: The President of the Hellenic Republic received from the Minister of Public Order the new type of passport issued by the Hellenic Police Force

Today (09-01-06), the Minister of Public Order Mr. George Voulgarakis delivered to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias the first new passport issued by the Hellenic Police Force.

The passport was delivered during the inaugurating ceremony which was held at 10H30, at the new and modern facilities of the Passport Division of the Hellenic Police Force (8, Hiou st., Kaisariani).

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Petros Moliviatis, the Deputy Minister of Public Order, Mr. Christos Markoyannakis, the Ministry`s General Secretary, Mr. Leonidas Evaggelidis, the Prefector of Athens, Mr. Ioannis Sgouros and the Mayor of Kaisariani, Mr. Athanassios Bartsokas also attended the inaugurating ceremony.

Furthermore, the Head of the National Intelligence Service, Ambassador Ioannis Korantis, the Chief of the Hellenic Police Force, Police Lieutenant General Mr. George Aggelakos, the Chief of the Fire Brigade, Police Lieutenant General Mr. Christos Smetis, the Vice-Chief of the Hellenic Police Force, Police Lieutenant General, Mr. George Kanellos, the Head of General Staff of the Hellenic Police Force Headquarters, Police Lieutenant General, Mr. Anastassios Dimoshakis, the General Inspector of South Greece, Police Lieutenant General, Mr. Stylianos Syros as well as other officials were also present.

The Metropolitan Bishop of Vironas, Kaisariani and Ymittos, Reverend Daniil, officiated at the inaugurating ceremony.

The Vice-Governor of the Bank of Greece, Mr. Nikolaos Palaiokrassas, represented this institution which is assigned with the production of the printed booklet of passports.

During this event, the Minister of Public Order, Mr. G. Voulgarakis and the Chief of the Hellenic Police Force, Police Lieutenant General, Mr. G. Aggelakos addressed the audience, whereas the Head of the Passport Division, Police Director, Mr. Stylianos Kouris, briefed the audience on the organization, staff and operation of the new Agency.

When addressing the audience, the Minister of Public Order stated the following, among others: “[…] Today we have passports considered to be safe by the international community. The features of the new Hellenic Passport are prone to development, so that it can always rise up to the expectations set by the international community and make it always possible to safely recognize the traveling documents. Therefore, this is a very important day for us, since we can now hand over the first new passport to the first citizen of this country […].”

When the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias received his passport from Mr. G. Voulgarakis, he stated the following: “Let me thank you so much for having chosen me as the first person to receive the new Hellenic Passport. This is a safe passport in accordance with the standards set by the European Union and this is why we, professional travelers, such as Mr. Moliviatis and me, welcome it with great joy. Moreover, I would like to congratulate the Passport Division as well as the Leadership of the Hellenic Police Force for having achieved this very good result in such short notice. A safe traveling document makes it all the more easier for the thousands of Greeks who travel, to continue with their endeavors. Let me wish once again a happy new year to all of us and let me warmly thank once more all those who have contributed to this result.”

At the end of the inaugurating ceremony, the Minister of Public Order and the Chief of the Hellenic Police Force gave a tour to the President of the Hellenic Republic to the facilities of the newly founded Passport Division. The President had the opportunity to be briefed on the new high-standards security features and on the issuing process of the new passports.

Pictures from this event can be also found the Athens News Agency`s (www.ana.gr) websites.