Kostas Karamanlis and his wife Natasa visit the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A meeting between the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Greece yesterday fell on an auspicious date - the name day for both leaders.
Helen Clark and Kostas Karamanlis acknowledged their special day during a joint press conference in Wellington, when the gathered media heard that in Greece
name days are celebrated.
Yesterday's names were Kostas, short for Konstandinos, and Helen.
So the leaders wished each other a happy name day.
Mr Karamanlis arrived in New Zealand on Sunday - the 66th anniversary of the Battle of Crete - for the first official visit by a Greek Prime Minister.
New Zealand troops played a major role defending Greece against German invasion. In the 1941 battle 671 New Zealand soldiers were killed and many others captured.
The two leaders announced they would start negotiations for a shared memories arrangement.
Providing details, Helen Clark said: "Through this we can give more formal recognition to our shared past and commit to co-operation in the future by honouring our war dead, preserving heritage sites and materials and educating younger generations about the deeds of their forebears."
Mr Karamanlis said New Zealand and Greece had an excellent relationship.
Replying to a question on preparations for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, Helen Clark said New Zealand would want to be involved and was enthusiastic about keeping the association alive.
Mr Karamanlis said: "I can only promise it will be even bigger than the 50th or 60th and we will do that together."
Helen Clark said bonds between the two countries were forged long before World War II - the first Greeks migrated to New Zealand more than 100 years ago.
The leaders discussed a working holiday scheme that the two countries are negotiating, trade, Greece's increasingly important role in the European Union, education and renewable energy.
Helen Clark welcomed Greece's decision to support the conservation of whales at the upcoming International Whaling Commission meeting, which she said was "finely poised".
A state lunch was held for the delegation and the itinerary included wreath laying at the National War Memorial and the Hellenic-New Zealand Memorial.
- NZPA
