Αρχική Πολιτική συμμετοχή ομογενών και αλλοδαπών υπηκόων τρίτων χωρών που διαμένουν νόμιμα και μακροχρόνια στην ΕλλάδαΆρθρο 21Σχόλιο του χρήστη Constantinos Karakonstandis | 30 Δεκεμβρίου 2009, 00:33
  • Σχόλιο του χρήστη 'Constantinos Karakonstandis' | 30 Δεκεμβρίου 2009, 00:33

    Dear Mr. Papandreou, I take the liberty to write my comments in English, being my first language, as a Greek Australian having spent most of my life in Australia and having returned to Greece with three young children nearly eight years ago. One reason why my partner and I left successful careers in Australia and decided to return to Greece and raise our children in this country was because this country is our ancestral homeland, the land of our parents, our grandparents and our forebears. It is, in other words, our homeland, the country that we love and are committed to. This is something that is not quantifiable in economic terms. Only a real Greek can understand it. We hope and trust, Mr. Prime Minister, that you, also the son of a Greek immigrant are such a Greek. The Greek people have special ties with their homeland, a land that has been subjected to many invasions and many trials throughout history. The bonds between people of Greek descent, especially when living abroad, are very strong. Our cohesiveness and our common origins are our strongest attributes and this has been proven throughout history. We are saddened that our homeland is changing with the rapid and uncontrolled influx of people from parts of the world that have no commonality with our history and culture. When our parents immigrated to Australia in the 1960's, the numbers of immigrants and the "quality" of the people coming into the country was strictly controlled and regulated. Unfortunately, this is not happening in Greece today. The influx of foreigners from countries that have no commonality with our country seems totally uncontrolled and unregulated. The impact of this on our country is ominous and, as yet, undefined culturally, ethnologically and demographically. We urge you to consider very carefully to whom you offer Greek citizenship or nationality to, therefore. This is a very serious subject and should not be treated lightly. Our country has its own cultural and ethnic individuality and this needs to be taken into account in any decisions involving the awarding of Greek citizenship or nationality. The first priority in this issue, in our opinion, should be to awarding Greek citizenship (and nationality) to residents of Greece who are clearly of Greek descent, such as ethnic Greeks from Northern Epirus of from the former Soviet Union (Pontus). This is what any serious government would be doing. This should be completely separated from the issue of awarding Greek citizenship to other long term legal residents of Greece, who under certain clearly specified preconditions, can be considered for Greek citizenship. In short, it seems that your government is unduly rushing to pass a law concerning the sensitive and critical issue of Greek citizenship without giving it the serious consideration that it deserves. Such an issue is so important and decisive for the future of this country that it must be proposed for a referendum where the Greek people will vote and make their decision. This issue should also be coupled with the question of quotas for migrant intake into the country. Given your commitment to the democratic decision making process, there should be no hesitation on your government's part in taking this issue to the Greek people by way of democratic referendum. Let the Greek people speak Mr. Prime Minister. As a Greek citizen who is fully committed to our homeland, with two children in Greek universities and one in primary school, I urge you to give this issue the serious consideration that it deserves. More so than the serious challenge concerning the economic management and reform of Greece, it is the management of this critical issue concerning the identity of the Hellenic people that will decide your government's future, rest assured.