Recruitment Issues of Greeks Abroad

Dear Minister,

As is known, approximately 18,000 Greeks abroad face recruitment issues due to their permanent residence there. These are entrepreneurs, scientists, and professionals living and working abroad, who have objective difficulties in fulfilling their military service partially or in full. As a result, they have been declared draft evaders and are deprived of the right to renew their passports, as well as the freedom of entry and exit to their homeland, with the exception of residents of the U.S., Australia, and other countries outside the EU.

Although Law 2510/1997 was a bold step in the right direction, Greeks abroad are subject to a special recruitment policy, which has not been definitively regulated by the aforementioned law.

Given the knowledge and experiences of Greeks abroad, as well as their ability to contribute to the development of research, technology, and science in our country, I believe that addressing their issues will bring multiple benefits to Greece, both socially and economically, as well as culturally.

Considering the above, as well as Greece’s needs in the field of national defense, I kindly ask you to take the necessary initiatives for the definitive legislative regulation of the recruitment issues of Greeks abroad, in order to end their exclusion from the social and productive fabric of our country.

With appreciation,

Anna KARAMANOU