Greek Ambassador in Berlin Strengthens Regional Ties During Düsseldorf Visit
Talks on EU presidency, culture, and city partnerships
April 28th, 2026
The Greek Ambassador to Germany, Alexandros Papaioannou, completed a two-day visit to Düsseldorf on April 21–22, combining political meetings with cultural engagements and discussions on municipal cooperation. The visit focused on European policy priorities, regional partnerships, and preparations linked to Greece’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027.
During his visit, the Ambassador met with Christian Wiermer, State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs and government spokesperson of North Rhine-Westphalia. The exchange addressed current international developments as well as priorities for the upcoming Greek EU Presidency, with particular emphasis on European coordination and bilateral cooperation at regional level.
As part of the city’s European Week, Alexandros Papaioannou also delivered remarks at the opening of the photography exhibition “Wege zu einem verzauberten Land” at the city hall. The exhibition presents works by American photographer Robert McCabe, known for documenting landscapes and everyday life in twentieth-century Greece. The event highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening public engagement with Greece.
The visit also included a meeting with Cologne Mayor Torsten Burmester, where discussions focused on cooperation with Greece, particularly with the partner city of Thessaloniki. The Ambassador also met with Aachen Mayor Dr. Michael Ziemons to discuss the city’s historical role in European integration and the upcoming Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027.
The meeting, indeed reflects a broader effort to strengthen Greece’s presence at regional level in Germany, where cooperation between federal states, cities, and cultural institutions plays an increasingly important role. By combining political consultations with cultural outreach and municipal dialogue, the program in North Rhine-Westphalia highlighted the growing emphasis on city diplomacy and regional partnerships ahead of Greece’s EU Council Presidency in 2027. Such engagements underline how bilateral relations are increasingly shaped not only by national governments, but also by networks of local authorities and cultural actors.
