On Monday, May 26, 2025, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Greece, Mr. Andreas Kindl, visited the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), accompanied by Dr. George Kaloutsakis, Honorary Consul of Germany in Heraklion.

They met with the President of FORTH, Professor Vassilis Charmandaris, the Vice President Professor Dimitris Plexousakis, Directors of the Institutes and Heads of Special Units of FORTH. They were informed in detail about the Foundation’s research activities and its long-standing collaborations with major academic and research institutions in Germany. A notable example is the Skinakas Observatory, the main research infrastructure of the Institute of Astrophysics, which was founded in 1986 by FORTH, the University of Crete, and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE – Germany), with which FORTH maintains a close scientific collaboration.

Dr. Emmanouel Stratakis, Deputy Director of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Mr. Andreas Kindl, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Prof. Vasilis Harmandaris, President of FORTH, Prof. Dimitris Plexousakis, Vice President of the FORTH Board of Directors & Director of the Institute of Computer Science, Dr. George Kaloutsakis, Honorary Consul of Germany in Heraklion.

This was followed by a visit to the Foundation's research laboratories:

At the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), the Ambassador was introduced to the research activity of the “Photonics for Heritage Science” (PhoHS) group, which develops advanced laser-based methodologies for the analysis, diagnosis, preservation and restoration of archaeological/historical objects, works of art, and monuments The group’s collaborations with German academic and research institutions were particularly highlighted.

The Ambassador also visited the laboratory of the “Quantum Light and Technologies group”, a cutting-edge research facility, where the importance of the laboratory's pioneering results in basic research, quantum technologies and their potential applications in the environment and biomedical imaging was presented.

At the Institute of Computer Science (ICS), the Center for Cultural Informatics showcased its interdisciplinary approach in supporting the documentation, exchange, presentation and preservation of historical sources, facts, human memories and the evidence of material culture spanning all areas of human activities, including sciences for the benefit of the study, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

At the Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory (CVRL), the Ambassador was introduced to state-of-the-art mobile “intelligent” robotic systems, designed for applications in the sectors of defense and security, inspection, search and rescue, and more.

The Ambassador expressed his enthusiasm for the high level of research carried out at FORTH and showed particular interest in exploring ways to further utilize and promote the innovative outcomes of this research. Both sides expressed a mutual desire to strengthen research collaborations between Germany’s private and public institutions and FORTH, with the support of the German Embassy in Greece.