JOURNALIST: Mr. Fragogiannis, how do you think Greek-Turkish relations will evolve in the coming period following the messages sent to Ankara by the European Council, but also the NATO Summit?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: Mr. Chondropoulos, you probably saw that Turkey did not raise any issue regarding the promotion of its own arguments against Greece in a provocative manner during the numerous discussions held in the last few days. That says something. It remains to be seen whether there are also domestic issues involved. In any case, Greece will continue its level-headed and determined defense of legality and national sovereignty, without participating in pointless rhetorical confrontation.
JOURNALIST: In this environment of increased Turkish provocative conduct, what are the prospects for the so-called “positive agenda”?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: As I have repeatedly stressed, the positive agenda with Turkey is an initiative in the context of economic diplomacy that does not touch on sensitive issues in our bilateral relations with Turkey. It is true that in this climate of tension Turkey has been systematically creating recently, the continuation of the dialogue is somewhat awkward. That is why there has been a postponement of the next round of discussions on the items of the positive agenda. However, this does not mean in any way that the positive agenda is being cancelled.
JOURNALIST: What is the overall assessment in the field of economic diplomacy after this government’s three years in office?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: In order to provide you with the correct answer to your question, I will have to talk in numbers. So, according to ELSTAT, in 2021 there was an impressive 72.3% increase in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), which exceeded €4.8 billion compared to €2.8 billion in the same period in 2020. This marks the largest net inflows since 2002, confirming that Greece has restored its reputation as a reliable vibrant economy and an attractive investment destination. The diversification of the qualitative investment characteristics is also noteworthy. Apart from the traditional sectors of real estate and tourism, our country is now attracting investment in cutting-edge sectors, such as high technology and life sciences. This is confirmed by the flagship investments of global giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Pfizer, Cisco, Google and JP Morgan. And, it is estimated that the projects included in the Strategic Investments since July 2019 to date – 30 in number – have created 3,740 new jobs.
JOURNALIST: What have the ‘business delegations abroad’ delivered and what are the possible next initiatives in this direction?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: It should come as no surprise that we are highly mobile in the Gulf region, with the exchange of business delegations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These contacts have already resulted in important agreements and partnerships, such as the Greece-Saudi Arabia Business Council, the Greek-Saudi Arabian agreement for the construction of a submarine and terrestrial cable data transmission system between Europe and Asia (the so-called East to Med data Corridor-EMC) and the Framework Agreement between the Abu Dhabi state-owned industrial investment group ADQ and the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments for the realization of Emirati investments worth €4 billion in Greece. Of course, our actions and mobility are not limited to our neighborhood or the Gulf region. Greece’s international presence is being increasingly strengthened and in this context, we are already coordinating a large business delegation from Japan, which has expressed interest in visiting Greece in the autumn.
JOURNALIST: What are the challenges for the country’s economic diplomacy in the new international environment that is emerging, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: Having pursued an energy policy that seeks to maximize energy security on the one hand and to diversify sources and routes on the other, we are gradually consolidating and strengthening Greece’s position as a regional energy hub. The overall improved image of the country, its upgraded geostrategic role and the attractive investment incentives we offer have led to unprecedented investment activity in the energy sector. The network of strategic infrastructures built or under construction, such as the TAP pipeline, the IGB pipeline and the Greece-North Macedonia interconnector, together with the FSRU plant in Alexandroupolis and the prospect of developing more FSRU plants around Greece, constitute projects of strategic importance for the Balkans, South-Eastern Europe and the wider region.
JOURNALIST: We see that the overall global uncertainty is making the Prime Minister prioritize the need for political stability. How crucial do you think political stability is, especially in terms of economic diplomacy?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: In the current environment we live in, when multiple crises are occurring one after another, and the global economic and political system is in turmoil and under question, domestic political stability is more necessary than ever. I believe that as a government, we have been able to properly address all crises and have even managed to strengthen our international presence and voice. I believe that Economic Diplomacy has played an essential role in this and I look forward to even better results.
JOURNALIST: Are you considering running for Parliament in the next elections?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: What I am interested in is to continue my work in the crucial portfolio of Economic Diplomacy, an honorable post the Prime Minister has entrusted in me benefitting the country and all of us, its citizens. I do not currently have any plans to run for Parliament.