Panagiotis Michalos on the 2025 “Dialogues of Nisyros” and the Future of Eastern Mediterranean

Publication Date: 23 July 2025

BOSTON – Panagiotis Michalos, founder and president of the “Dialogues of Nisyros” Foundation—one of the most distinguished and internationally recognized Think Tanks and Forums in Greece—spoke in an exclusive interview with The National Herald about this year’s upcoming conference, to be held July 3–6. The event will feature expert speakers and distinguished participants from Greece and abroad.

The interview with Mr. Panagiotis G. Michalos follows:

The National Herald: How are preparations for this year’s “Dialogues of Nisyros” coming along?

Michalos: Preparations for the “Dialogues of Nisyros 2025,” which will take place from July 3 to 6, are largely complete. High-profile speakers have already confirmed their participation, including Vice President of the Greek Government Mr. Kostis Hatzidakis and opposition leaders from PASOK and SYRIZA, Nikos Androulakis and Socratis Famellos, respectively. The detailed agenda has been presented, and we continue to announce additional speakers. At the same time, we are working with the organizing team to prepare the unique setting we build each year on the island. I must emphasize that the “Dialogues of Nisyros” take place in a location unlike any other: on the rim of the volcanic crater that dominates the island. Against this stunning backdrop, with prominent speakers addressing the most pressing issues of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Dialogues stand out as a distinctive Think Tank and Forum.

TNH: What will be the main themes?

Michalos: Each year, the “Dialogues” tackle the most critical issues affecting the Eastern Mediterranean. This year, our central theme is:

“The Eastern Mediterranean in the Whirlpool of Geopolitical Change.”

Thematic pillars include:

Geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean
Energy Security & Conflicts – Climate Crisis & Resilience
European Defense
Island Regions, Digital Transformation, and the New Economy
Artificial Intelligence, Space Economy & Geo-Cybersecurity
Intercultural Dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean

We will also present a new study by diaNEOsis, a leading research and analysis organization, titled “Culture as a Lever for Development: Opportunities and Prospects for Greece.”

TNH: What are your goals for the Dialogues, and what have they accomplished over the years?

Michalos: “Dialogues of Nisyros – Bridging the East Med” is the Think Tank and Forum of the Georgios M. Michalos Foundation – Nisyros Sustainability. Its purpose is to generate and promote bold ideas and strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the Eastern Mediterranean into a region of sustainable prosperity, intercultural understanding, and international cooperation—while also advancing the sustainable development of our border islands.

We are honored that the Dialogues operate under the permanent patronage of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and, to date, the annual patronage of the President of the Hellenic Republic.

The central annual conference is held each July on Nisyros. We also host thematic events in Athens in the fall, and we will be launching our first event in Brussels this coming March.

Allow me to share a personal note from my welcome address at the founding of the Foundation and the Dialogues in 2022, which relates to my father, a member of the Greek Diaspora for over 50 years:

“The creation of an international center for the exchange of ideas and productive dialogue on the environment, the geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean, cultural heritage, and sustainable development on the volcanic island of Nisyros emerged from a personal need. It is a way for me to express gratitude to my father, whose name the Foundation bears. My father deeply respected this land—every corner, every path, every stone.”

I’m fortunate not to walk this path alone. This vision came to life thanks to lifelong friends who believed in it from the beginning. They are the Founding and Board Members of the Foundation and the “Dialogues of Nisyros.”
[Board info: https://mihalosfoundation.org/to-idrima/dioikitiko-symvoulio]

The Dialogues are not a mass event, but a curated gathering of high-level individuals from politics, diplomacy, science, academia, business, media, and civil society, who come together to analyze, strategize, and propose solutions for the future of the Eastern Mediterranean. Our goal was to make the Dialogues a reference point for strategic conversation—and I believe we’ve succeeded. With only two annual conferences so far, they’ve already become a landmark event, having welcomed two prime ministers, a European Commissioner and Vice President, numerous ministers and ambassadors, as well as academics, technocrats, and journalists.

TNH: Who are some of the speakers this year, and what topics will they address?

Michalos: Participants in the 2025 Dialogues include top officials such as Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Environment & Energy Stavros Papastavrou, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, Deputy Minister for Island Policy Stefanos Gikas, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, and SYRIZA leader Socratis Famellos. We’ll also hear from European Parliament members like Giannis Maniatis—Vice President of the S&D group—EOT President Angela Gerekou, former Defense Minister and Armed Forces Chief Evangelos Apostolakis, as well as ambassadors, diplomats, and officials including former Foreign Ministry Secretary General Dimitris Paraskevopoulos and former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Tom Miller.

This dynamic mosaic of institutional experience allows the Dialogues to move from identifying problems to proposing actionable policy recommendations.

TNH: Will there be any speakers from the U.S. Greek Diaspora?

Michalos: While we don’t have a speaker directly from the Diaspora this year, its presence is always deeply felt. U.S. officials and diplomats closely tied to Hellenism often participate. This year, we are fortunate to include former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Tom Miller, a seasoned diplomat with deep understanding of the region. He notably served as U.S. negotiator on the Cyprus issue alongside Richard Holbrooke from 1997–99.

TNH: As someone who studied and lived in the U.S., how do you view the Greek-American community?

Michalos: The Greek-American community is a great asset for Greece. It combines a strong Greek identity with global perspective and influence—politically and economically—which can be catalytic for Greece’s national interests. I take pride in the Diaspora and our roots. I’m especially encouraged by the increasing number of Greek-Americans elected to public office. They are a key force in shaping Greek foreign policy through soft power. I don’t believe there’s another diaspora like it in the world.

TNH: What does the Omogeneia mean to Greece—and the world?

Michalos: The Diaspora is more than an extension of Greece abroad. It’s a cultural bridge, a channel of political leverage, and a hub of economic collaboration. Globally, it stands as a model of responsible and engaged diaspora, committed to its homeland and to broader international progress.

TNH: What kind of influence do the Dialogues exert within Greek society?

Michalos: The Dialogues shape public discourse and contribute directly to policy, academic research, and diplomacy. They serve as both a think tank and a platform for practical action—impacting conversations around energy independence, climate resilience, European strategic autonomy, and the future of our border islands. This is not just analysis—it’s policy incubation.

TNH: What is the cost of organizing the Dialogues, and how are they funded?

Michalos: They’re certainly not inexpensive. Nisyros is remote, and nearly everything must be transported from Athens. We receive no public support from local or regional authorities. Still, we consider this an international-level initiative, and we invest accordingly—in production, hospitality, partnerships, and more. The Dialogues are non-commercial and by invitation only.

They are organized by the Georgios M. Michalos – Nisyros Sustainability Foundation, a registered nonprofit that operates solely for public benefit and long-term impact.

Let me also mention that the Greek-American community can follow the Dialogues live on the NisyrosDialogues YouTube channel.