On February 20th, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Terens Quick visited Mariupol State University. The honorable guest was accompanied by Consul General of Greece in Mariupol Elena Gergopoulou, chairwoman of the Federation of Greek Communities of Ukraine Alexandra Protsenko -Pichadzhy. This was not the first visit of Mr. Terens Quick to Mariupol State University. He visited University as a journalist and the host of the popular program on a Greek national channel in 2005 during the visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic Panayiotis Skandalakis.

Following a good tradition, the guest was met by students with a loaf of bread and salt. During a tour of university, rector of Mariupol State University, Professor, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in Mariupol, Kostyantyn Balabanov spoke about the key events in the history of MSU, in particular, the long-lasting partnership between University and the Hellenic Republic.

Mariupol State University and the Hellenic Republic are bounded by fruitful cooperation in the field of education, science and culture. Greece was the first foreign partner of the university and always actively supported university at all stages of its development. MSU has implemented 14 agreements with Greek partners, including 10 with leading universities in Greece: the Athens National University of Kapodistria, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Ionian University, the University of Ioannina and others. The fact that during the years of the existence of university it was twice visited by Presidents of the Hellenic Republic - Konstantinos Stephanopoulos (1997) and Karolos Papoulias (2008), who are honorary professors of Mariupol State University. This proves the high level of development of international cooperation of University.

The first and only Faculty of Greek Philology in Ukraine was established in University in 2002. More than 250 MSU students study Greek language. Over the past 5 years, about 100 students and teachers from MSU took part in educational, scientific and cultural internships in Greece. The recognition of Mariupol State University as a leading center for high-quality training of specialists in the field of Greek philology and translation is also proven by the fact that the first national stage of the World Olympiad in Modern Greek was conducted in 2016 at the premises of University. This competition was organized by the World Pontian Youth Coordinating Commitee (PΑSΕPΟΝ) and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as a part of the celebration of the anniversary of Aristotle.

Having acquainted with university, Terens Quick also met with students and faculty. He noted the significant contribution paid by Mariupol State University and rector personally to the development of Ukrainian-Greek relations and expressed readiness to fully support MSU in the development and promotion of the Greek language and culture. During the meeting Mr. Quick learned about the major projects of the Department of Greek Philology and Translation, including those implemented together with Greek partners, as well as the achievements of teachers and students.

Also, Mr. Terrence Quick made a note in the Book of Honorary Guests of Mariupol State University: "On behalf of the Hellenic Republic I express my deep gratitude to Mariupol State University and the Faculty of Greek Philology for important and continuous work done by them. Many thanks to my friend, rector, Kostyantyn Balabanov and the University staff. I wish you to continue on the course, and I am sure that your activities will be vivid and effective. "