Athens, 5 December 2019

The Russian Embassy honored Nikos Daskalantonakis

A reception was given to honor the President and Founder of Grecotel, mr. Nikos Daskalantonakis by the Russian Ambassador mr. Andrei Maslov at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

This significant event follows the commendation of mr. Nikos Daskalantonakis with the Order of Friendship by the President of the Russian Federation mr. Vladimir Putin, which took place in the Kremlin on November 4, 2019. It is of note that mr. Nikos Daskalantonakis was commended in recognition of his extensive work as Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Crete and the Dodecannese, a position he has held for over two decades.

In his salutation the Russian Ambassador mr. Andrei Maslov, after thanking everyone for responding to the invitation, stated:

“Dear Niko, this high distinction is undoubtedly the highest recognition of your remarkable work fostering friendship and cooperation between the people of Russia and , fruitful action aiming to bring together and enrich both of our cultures”.

And he added: “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Nikos Daskalantonakis is an example to be followed by many others involved in Russian-Greek affairs. We appreciate his constant support to bilateral events, to the spread of the Russian language and culture in Greece and his significant contribution to the perpetuation of the rich historical Russian presence in Crete”.

Present were representatives of the political and business world, culture, journalists, beloved compatriots of mr. Nikos Daskalantonakis from Rethymnon and his personal friends. He was extremely happy and excited to greet the guests one by one at the event and be photographed with them.

Amongst the participants were: the Deputy Prime Minister and former Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos, the Spanish Ambassador Enrique de Vigera, the Minister of Energy and Environment and the Vice President of , the Deputy Minister of Sports Lefteris Avgenakis, the President of the Movement of Change Fofi Gennimata, the Secretary General of Tourism Policy & Development Konstantinos Loulis, Dora Bakoyiannis, Olga Kefalogiannis, Kostas Laliotis, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakogiannis, GNTO President Angela Gerekou, Dimitris Mantzounis, Michalis Sallas, Professor of Archaeology Nikos Stambolidis, the President of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History Fali Vogiatzaki, Nikos Hatzinikolaou, Giorgos Dalaras, the Artistic Director of the National Lyric Stage music composer Giorgos Koumentakis, Spiros Theodoropoulos, Harris Vafias, Billy Daskalakis, Zaharias Portalakis and many others, MPs, regional governors, mayors, academics, university professors, prominent personalities in business fields, hotels, banking and legal sectors as well as known journalists of the diplomatic, economic, business, tourist and cultural reportage.

The full salutation of the Ambassador Andrei Maslov:

“I would like to thank you all for being at the Embassy today for this nice reason.

On the 26th of October, 2019, the Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the decree for the commendation of the Honorary Consul of Russia to Crete and the Dodecannese, Nikos Daskalantonakis, with the order of Friendship, which is one of the highest in the country. On November 4, 2019, during a grand reception in the Kremlin, the President of Russia awarded the Order of Friendship to our Honorary Consul.

Dear Niko, this high distinction is undoubtedly the highest recognition of your remarkable work fostering friendship and cooperation between the people of Russia and Greece, your fruitful action aiming to bring together and enrich our cultures.

Nikos Daskalantonakis, an eminent and hospitable hotelier, took over the duties of Honorary Consul of Russia to Crete and the Dodecannese 22 years ago. He is the oldest honorary consul of modern Russia in Greece and is a great honor that he has consistently been performing these duties for almost a quarter of a century. Over the years, Crete and the Dodecannese have become the most popular destinations for many Russian tourists. Over 40% (forty percent) of our fellow citizens visiting Greece each year choose Crete and the Dodecannese. This is a great success and a great responsibility at the same time. All these years, our Honorary Consul, with the support of his excellent family and his experienced associates, has been defending the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian citizens in the region. And this is another reason why Russians prefer the beautiful and hospitable Crete and the Dodecannese.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Nikos Daskalantonakis is a role model for many other representatives involved in the Russian-Greek affairs. We appreciate his unconditional support to bilateral events, the spread of the Russian language and culture in Greece, his major contribution to the perpetuation of the rich historical Russian presence in Crete, being as well our common historical heritage with the consulate of the Russian empire in Chania as a reference point, the Russian forces in Rethymnon during the peace mission from 1897 to 1909 and our common struggle against fascism and Nazism during World War II.

I could surely mention many other memorable facts for our honorary consul, who is a true friend of Russia, but I wouldn’t like to take too much time of all who came today to honor Niko. Dear Niko, please accept once again my sincere congratulations on the occasion of this highest distinction and my warmest wishes for good health, prosperity and every success!”.