Chatzimarkakis named 'ambassador-at-large'

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis was named the Greek Foreign Ministry’s new Ambassador-at-Large, on Wednesday. Speaking to the press following a meeting with Chatzimarkakis, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos noted that Hatzimarkakis was an “extremely experienced and European politician” who "can help the country on European strategy issues, on a bilateral and multilateral level, with emphasis, naturally, on issues of economy and growth."

A former MEP with Germany’s Free Democratic Party, Chatzimarkakis put an end to his political career in Germany due to his frustration over the way his party and the German government had treated Greece and Cyprus with regard to their bailouts. He subsequently launched the Greek European Citizens party which took part in the European Parliament elections in May.

“In the critical period of exiting the memorandum, Greece must expand its alliances in Europe. It is the time of ongoing negotiations in Europe, on all levels,” said Chatzimarkakis after Wednesday's appointment.