Dear friends, partners, associates and fellow investors,
It feels like it was yesterday, though 20 whole years have passed since then, when the name, EUROLINK was given to what was then a dream and an impressive reality, today! At a dinner table in a small and humble fish restaurant on the Varna Central Beach, Dr. Pierre Van Esch from Loom–on-Sand, Holland, an Economics Professor and successful Consultant and Dr. Christopher Violaris, an Economist, ex-Banker and Lecturer on Macro Economics, Marketing and Strategic Planning, fresh from the jungle of the City, two dreamers with the same dream. What was the dream? To set up an investment consulting practice, this would have concentrated in promoting the excellent investment opportunities that existed in the post communist Bulgaria!
They say, “…big ideas and successful concepts, very often are born, over a drink or two”! Well that was the case with EUROLINK, with a very noticeable difference, the two founders went further to apply another wise English saying, “…put your money where your mouth is”!
We did put our money, our hopes, our talents, our knowledge and experience, our hearts into it, very often working under very difficult and negative conditions, including risking not only our money but also our lives. Those were very difficult days for all of us! But, we managed and above all, we learned a thing or two!
Twenty years on and the dream has become a reality, our intentions and plans have become real deeds with long lasting effect on the life and future of the people of the wider region of Varna and why not, Bulgaria.
Though the original dream is today what we all know and understand as Eurolink Investment Group, we never stopped dreaming, we never stopped reaching higher and higher! One thing never changed and will always guide us, is our corporate philosophy and our understanding of business ethics! All these years, we gave to this country generously and we have been rewarded in the same manner. We thought and acted big and we achieved big results, we showed respect and appreciation and received acceptance, support and unconditional recognition.
None of our achievements would have come about if it was not for effectiveness, professionalism, loyalty and the commitment of the Management team and the staff of Eurolink Investment Group, the moral support, trust and vision of our partner Sheikh Khalifa bin Jabor Althani and the Althani Family! The trust dedication and active involvement of the hundreds of our clients and investors, has also been instrumental in our success.
Twenty years is a long time for some, for me it feels like it was yesterday it had all started and I can assure you, I enjoyed every moment of it! I will love to have the chance to head Eurolink Investment Group for another 20 years and be part of this Dream Team! Though I will always be around, soon the time will come when I should hand over the controls to the younger generation! I am fully convinced that the seeds I planted all these years, will give the same if not better fruit! The team that surrounds me today, the future heads of the Group share the same dream with me, simply because I always chose, to be surrounded by people who realize their dreams.
Thanking you all for your love, trust, respect and appreciation which you generously honoured me with all these years, I would like to raise a virtual glass of Bulgarian Rakiya to your health and assure you that….we will carry on the same way and with the same zeal for another 20 years.
Chris Violaris
Executive Chairman,
Eurolink Investment Group Plc.
September 2014.