Representatives from various communities in our area proceeded to temporarily organize the newly founded organization OMONOIA in early 1991, electing Andreas Zarbalas as General President and the members of the General Council. Certainly, the preparation of the program and the statutes were needed, as two necessary links for the operation of the organization, the organization of the local organizations, and the organization of the Branches.
Thus, the landmark date for the opening of the First General Conference was set on February 25, 1992.
The first Conference took place in the city of Saranda and through democratic procedures the General President, the former political prisoner, Sotiris Kyriazatis, was elected, as was the General Council, which in its first meeting elected the General Presidency. The Program and the Statute were approved and clear goals for the future were set.
This day is a milestone for a new path.
After the First General Conference, Omonia has shown enormous growth. It is the main voice of the Greeks of Albania. The results of the elections of March 22 and especially those of the local elections of July 26, speak of the political unity and national consensus of the Greeks of Northern Epirus. It clearly showed that after the collapse of communism and the partial opening of democratization and pluralism in Albania, the establishment of Omonia is a bold and historic act for the EU. Minority.
The General President, Sotiris Kyriazatis, on behalf of the General Presidency, immediately sent the first messages and announcements to all the people of Northern Epirus.
Among other things, one of the messages states: "...We decide to address all Greeks of Northern Epirus, associations and organizations, appealing to to contribute with all their spiritual and material forces to the unity and regeneration of this place. It is an inalienable need for each of us, to the extent possible, to contribute to giving this place the opportunity to enter the path of evolution and progress by creating appropriate conditions for this purpose. Your intellectual abilities, experience and knowledge are always useful, beneficial and necessary. From the first moment of its operation, our organization has set as its primary goal the rebirth of Hellenism in Albania and its national spiritual, religious, cultural, economic and social development..."
The two terms of office of Sotiris Kyriazatis, as General President of Omonia, were terms of struggle and sacrifice for the rights of the Greek People's Party, terms of promotion and upgrading the prestige of Omonia, but also terms of unity and reconciliation of its members.
Omonia needs such terms of office, this place and world needs such unity and reconciliation.
