Dr. Konstantinos Koutras is a Greek politician. He is currently the Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Turkey. He also represented Greece in New York as Consul General. In addition, he served as the spokesperson of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs for years prior.
"There is a certain koinonia—a shared sense of humanity and lived experience—that transcends borders."
Q: As someone in public office, how do you stay aligned with your values when the political climate can challenge them?
A: That’s a very good question—and perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of a public career: how to remain true to your principles and moral compass while navigating complex, shifting political realities. It brings to mind the ancient Greek concept of aretē—excellence of character. In public office, I am constantly being tested in this regard: how to uphold the virtues of integrity, prudence (phronēsis), and justice, even when external pressures pull me in other directions.
Q: For example, working in Turkey might be difficult when you come from a Greek background. How do you handle that?
A: It’s a thoughtful point. But honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s difficult. We must distinguish between two domains—what Aristotle might call the politikon and the idiōtikos—that is, the public or political sphere, and the interpersonal, human sphere. On the political level, yes, there are longstanding issues between Greece and Turkey, such as the delimitation of maritime zones—the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zones. These are serious matters of national interest and international law. But on the human level, I’ve found the experience to be deeply positive. This is actually my second term in Turkey—the first was in Ankara from 2003 to 2007, and now I’m serving again. And what I’ve seen is that the person-to-person contact between Greeks and Turks is something altogether different from political disputes.
There is a certain koinonia—a shared sense of humanity and lived experience—that transcends borders. A Greek can feel quite at home in Turkey, and vice versa. Last year, for example, nearly 1.4 million Turks visited Greece as tourists, and close to 700,000 Greeks came to Turkey. That’s not just tourism—that’s a form of peaceful dialogue, a kind of life and social diplomacy.
And we see this cultural affinity in other ways too. Just last week, the Greek singer Konstantinos Argyros gave a concert here in Istanbul. It sold out on the first day. The audience was predominantly Turkish—fans of Greek music. They stayed until late into the night, singing Greek songs. It was extraordinary.
Of course, as with anywhere in the world, there are always tensions. But as the Stoics taught us, we must distinguish between what we can control and what we cannot. A diplomat’s role is to engage with the challenges, to mediate, and to ease tensions wherever possible.
Q: How has your Greek identity—or your perception of it—evolved while representing Greece abroad?
A: That’s a profound question. For Greeks, identity is not a surface label—it’s deeply rooted in history, culture, and philosophy. As Heraclitus once said, ethos anthrōpō daimōn—“a person’s character is their fate.” I feel that this applies to nations too. Greece’s character, our legacy, shapes our destiny.
We are deeply proud of our heritage. Take the Greek language, for instance. It has been spoken continuously for over 4,000 years. Of course, the language has evolved—but there’s been no interruption in its development. That is something incredibly rare in the world.
And we are the custodians of a rich intellectual tradition: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Sophists, the tragedians, the early scientists and mathematicians. Representing Greece means carrying that torch of reason, inquiry, and virtue into the modern world.
For me, it’s both a privilege and a responsibility. I feel I am part of a chain—one link among many—passing this cultural inheritance to future generations, including young people like yourself. I feel extremely proud to come from such a rich heritage of successful and influential figures who continue to shape our world today.
Q: Since our world is filled with constant change—political, social, economic—what do you personally do to stay connected to your Greek culture and values as you represent Greece?
A: We are certainly living through times of rapid transformation. But as the ancient Greeks taught, change is part of life—it’s how we respond to it that defines us.
What grounds me—what keeps me connected—is our dual heritage: Hellenic civilization and Orthodox Christianity. These are our anchors. As Greeks, we don’t see them as separate. The Logos of philosophy and the Logos of faith have always been intertwined for us.
So yes, I stay grounded by returning to those roots. I read Greek literature, stay engaged with Greek music and art, celebrate our religious and cultural festivals. All these things keep me connected not just to a nation, but to a way of thinking and being in the world.
Q: Aristotle believed that the organization of communities and the involvement of citizens were crucial to a successful government. Do you agree with these values?
A: Absolutely. These are timeless principles. And we should be very proud to share a heritage with Aristotle, Socrates, Plato—all of them.
When Aristotle wrote about politeia—the constitution or structure of a city-state—he emphasized that citizens must not be passive. A healthy polis requires active engagement, ethical responsibility, and a shared commitment to the common good.
These teachings are not relics of the past. They are alive and urgent today. Our societies cannot face today’s challenges—climate change, inequality, polarization—without the participation and virtue of the citizens.
So yes, I fully agree. And I’m proud to belong to a tradition that saw this so clearly, so long ago. Greek philosophy is not just a museum piece—it’s a guidebook for democratic life and ideals.