They’ve been here through the highs and the lows, valued both in Athens and at home and now find themselves at the epicentre of some of the largest economic and social crises in recent times. But their job is to mainly serve as a bridge of communication and understanding between Greece and their home countries. So what’s it like to be stationed in Greece as part of the diplomatic dream team from five major countries?

JOHN KITTMER, GREAT BRITAIN:

“I AM DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH GREECE”

A hellenophile since childhood, he was a student of classical studies at Oxford and Cambridge and speaks fluent Greek. John Kittmer has traveled throughout Greece, not only in the four years of his tenure, but over the last 35 years and across 30 islands. “Ithaca and Astypalaia, these two places are amazing, I’d say they are the spirit of Greece,” he says in his fantastic Greek. “I am deeply in love with Greece.”

“I have climbed to the top of Mount Olympus, Mount Taygetos, onAthos,” he says and does not hide his disappointment at the fact that his term in office ends in a few months. “You are incredible people, very hospitable, despite the difficulties of recent years.”

He refers to the two and half million British tourists who come to Greece every year who when they leave, take an unlimited love for Greece with them, while describing the great number of Greeks living, studying or working in Britain as a pillar of bilateral relations.

Among the many things that connect the two countries is sports, mainly the Greek passion for English football. “Two years ago a five year old kid stopped me during an archaeological excursion to Argos. Once he realized who I was, he came over and asked: ‘Sir, sir, what team are you? Tottenham or Arsenal?’ It was so sweet.”

As Britain’s ambassador to Greece, John Kittmer has the unique position of living through and explaining two major referendums on Europe. “In our case we are clear, Brexit means Brexit.” But he emphasizes that whatever the outcome, Britain will still remain very closely connected with other European countries, but on a different basis, which will be negotiated.

As for Greece’s referendum in July ‘15? “The political situation in Greece in 2015 was extremely complicated. It’s something that us diplomats love. Trying to analyze and explain situations that at first sight seem so complicated that nobody understands them. In London, I explained that Greece was trying to decide on various issues which are interconnected. What will their government be, what will its relationship with international creditors be, but also where they stand in Europe. It was a complicated puzzle.” He smiles and, combining sincerity with diplomatic courtesy, adds: “I would say that we lived democracy in practice.”

IRIT BEN-ABBA, ISRAEL:

“GREECE IS GREECE, IT REMINDS ME OF US,”

She arrived in Athens exactly two years ago, during Antonis Samaras’ tenure when she worked for Greece-Israel relations. Before the election of Tsipras, there was uncertainty about his intentions, given the position he expressed in the past, but “very soon we discovered to our satisfaction that the new prime minister was determined not only to continue but also to further deepen the relationship.”

She does not hide her regret at the fact that for decades Israel’s relations with Greece were not very friendly and now that things have changed, “we want to do a lot, as if starting from scratch, for economic cooperation, academia, culture, there are no limits.”

She speaks enthusiastically about the benefits of young people visiting other countries which gives them a more global outlook, and in Greece, she says she mainly likes northern Greece and walking trails. “I love Epirus, especially Zagorohoria. And Evritania, Karpenissi and the entire arc from from Kastoria, Meteora, Veria up to Thessaloniki.

“For us, Thessaloniki has a special place in our heart. Whenever I visit, I always think about what the city would have been like centuries ago when the majority of its inhabitants were Jews. It’s bittersweet. The mayor, Mr. Boutari, is doing extraordinary things for the city, the rebirth of its history, including Jewish history. It’s something I appreciate a lot.”

“Greece is Greece. The people have a sense of uniqueness. It reminds me of us. There is the weight of history, the traditions, the role of religion. There is no need to explain to the political leadership in Jerusalem because Greece is an important country. Everything has changed. The president, the prime minister, all political leaders recognize the importance of Greece to Israel. Nobody has second thoughts. In this sense my work is relatively easy.” she says.

CHRISTOPHE CHANTEPY, FRANCE:

“IN GREECE, EVERYONE WANTS TO TREAT YOU.”

He hit the ground running. Just a few days after taking office last September, President Hollande made an official visit to Athens, which reinforced thepolitical and communicative relationship of the two leaders.

Christophe Chantepy fosters the traditionally close Greek-French relationship, which exceeds individuals and governments. In this difficult economic period, France, apart from classical diplomatic action, has undertaken a bridging role between the creditors and Greece.

“As a country, we’re not one of the creditors, however, we play a role in the effort to overcome difficulties and find solutions” says the French ambassador.

The role of the embassy is to listen to the social conditions in the country where it is located and convey a complete picture of the government, says Chantepy. Having been in the country for just over a year and due to his heavy workload, he doesn’t have the opportunity to travel a lot.

He champions Greek cuisine and emphasizes that it is much richer than moussaka, souvlaki and ouzo. “I often discover a country through the flavors,” he says, and simultaneously shares a particularly Greek surprise: “Unlike other cultures where people split the bill, in Greece everyone wants to treat you.” What fascinates him apart from the landscape, “is the Greeks themselves who are polite and demonstrate a sense of hospitality.”

Chantepy is not a career diplomat. He was a member of the Council of State, France where Prokopis Pavlopoulos also worked briefly as an assistant in 1976. Thus, when Chantepy first met with the President of the Greek Republic, they discovered that they had something in common from their past. This personal aspect has created a friendly relationship with the senior state officials of the country, which certainly proves useful for all.

PETER SCHOOF, GERMANY:

“GREECE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN EUROPE”

In the current context, the role of the German ambassador in Athens is probably the most difficult. Peter Schoof passes daily through the suspicions and mistrust of various conspiracy theorists. His goal is to operate as a bridge between political leaders, bureaucracy, and the ordinary citizens of the two countries.

“The Greeks never, ever approached me negatively. Neither as ambassador nor as a German citizen. There is a tremendous warmth, a sense of hospitality,generosity, which to be honest does not exist in northern Europe. You know, it’s amazing what the Greeks have: you can have a very intense discussion, a tough confrontation, and afterwards everything changes, everyone is friends and have a drink together.”

He is not surprised that he often hears strong criticism of the role of Germany in the debt crisis. “I answer by describing how Germany works, the procedures, the political system. And, at the same time, I do the same with the German government, when I try to explain the complexity of the situationin Greece.”

To those who criticize the German obsession with rules and laws, “I explain that we are a country where the abuse of the rules has had disastrous consequences. Thus, after the war, with the help of the Allies we have built a system with safeguards to prevent the abuse of power and the rules. When you present the whole picture, the debate moves to a new level.”

He has visited and likes Crete, Sifnos and the Peloponnese which “has everything”. This year he discovered Anafi, which he fell in love with. “I’m not saying it to be polite. I have traveled to many countries in Europe and Greece is the most beautiful I’ve seen.” But there are very difficult moments and these are not in the context of the present but the past. “It’s when I visit areas were Nazi atrocities took place.” There, he apologizes, offers his respects and assumes moral responsibility.

KERIM URAS, TURKEY:

“I FALL VICTIM TO DISCRIMINATION, BUT IN A POSITIVE WAY”

He has roots in Greece. His grandfather left Thessaloniki in 1912. Exactly one hundred years later, he was appointed ambassador. The special relationship of Kerim Uras with our country will probably continue. Moreover, after five years in Greece, his two younger sons, aged 10 and 15 years, speak fluent Greek. For every Turkish diplomat, the embassy in Athens is one of the most important.

“You can not rest, you could receive a phone call about an incident with a ship or somewhere on the border, from Edirne to Kastellorizo. We have an extensive border. And minorities, people with an interest in the other country. I see this as something positive that brings us closer together.”

How does it feel to be the person who represents Turkey in Greece? How do the Greeks react? “I fall victim to discrimination, but in a positive way, in the sense that wherever I go, as soon as they realize I’m Turkish, and especially that I am the ambassador, everyone is very kind to me. Of course, we have our differences, but, frankly, in all these five years I never faced negative behavior. People are always very friendly and respectful. “

He has been over Greece. His favorite places are Crete, Santorini and Rhodes, especially the Old Town. “Oh, and I mustn’t forget Hydra and Corfu. All your islands are amazing.” He is a fan of motorcycles and enjoys driving his around Athens. “You feel free, it is a culture that exists in Greece, but not in other countries.”

He says he will miss the many friends he has made in Greece. “The Greeks are very kind people, they like to give and receive gifts,” he says and reveals his intention to write a book about his time and experiences in Greece. “I’ve kept good notes.”

*Originally published in K magazine for Kathimerini newspaper

**********