Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Wednesday 27 March 2024, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Encho Dimitrov as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Ms Penka Andreeva, and Mr Petar Stankov Petrov, Administrative Staff, the Embassy of Bulgaria.  

Then, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Arto Kalevi Haapea as the Ambassador of Finland. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mr Steven Anthony Morton, and Ms Tiia Saito, Attaché, Embassy of Finland. 

Later, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Stavros Venizelos as the Ambassador of Greece. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Larisa Tikaidi, and Colonel Ioannis Fasianos, Defence Attaché, Embassy of Greece. 

Afterwards, the Governor-General, accompanied by Mrs Hurley, received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Dr Fahad Obaid Mohamed Altaffag as the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates. The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse Mrs Noora Rasheed Mohamed Aldanki Alshehhi, and representatives of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates including Miss Amna Alsuwaidi, Deputy Head of Mission; Mr Ahmad Mohammad, Counsellor; and Staff Colonel Mohamed Almatrooshi, Defence Attaché. 

Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a lunch for newly and recently accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: Her Excellency Ms Betty Pavelich, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia; His Excellency Mr Pham Hung Tam, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; His Excellency Mr Encho Dimitrov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, and his spouse Ms Penka Andreeva; His Excellency Mr Arto Kalevi Haapea, Ambassador of Finland, and his spouse Mr Steven Anthony Morton; His Excellency Dr Fahad Obaid Mohamed Altaffag, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and his spouse Mrs Noora Rashed Mohamed Aldanki Alshehhi; Ms Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group; and Mr Craig Maclachlan, Deputy Secretary, International Security, Legal and Consular Group, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Mr Paul Singer MVO, Official Secretary to the Governor-General. 

In the evening, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley hosted a reception for teachers and members of the Australian Capital Territory school community.