After spending four-and-half years in Indonesia, Ambassador Veis received transfer orders to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Though Veis and his wife enjoyed their stay in Indonesia, they had to go as it was the call of duty.

Numerous farewell parties, hosted both by Veis and his Indonesian friends, were held. The last farewell party for Veis was organized by noted film producer Raam Punjabi.

Bags were packed and tickets were booked. Veis and his wife Clara were supposed to leave Indonesia on Saturday. But everything changed on Thursday.

'€œMy Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias canceled my transfer order and extended my stay in Indonesia. It'€™s really great news for me,'€ Veis said on Thursday.

What was surprising was that Minister Kotzias was just appointed as foreign minister of Greece by newly-elected left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Jan. 27.

'€œIt was one of the first decisions that was taken by our new foreign minister,'€ Veis said.

Apparently, Kotzias felt that Greece needed an able and popular ambassador like Veis in Indonesia, a G20 member.

Veis is one of the popular ambassadors in town. Besides his diplomatic stint, Veis is an award winning writer and poet. He wrote more than two dozen books and numerous poems. His wife Clara, an Indonesian, is a famous painter, who has organized several painting exhibitions, frequently for charities.

Now the biggest problem is that Veis has to cancel everything and unpack all the belongings as he is not going anywhere. (++++)

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