JOURNALIST: Are you satisfied with your visit to Saudi Arabia? Are bilateral economic relations expected to flourish? In which areas?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: I would say that the business mission to Saudi Arabia exceeded the expectations of all participants – even ours at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as organizers – both in terms of the way it unfolded but also concerning its results. And this is reflected in the statements –not only ours as state representatives but primarily by the businessmen for whom this mission was organized. The sheer number of the 300 b2b meetings that took place, I think, constitutes a convincing proof.
We therefore look forward to a substantial strengthening of our bilateral economic relations with Saudi Arabia, as a result of this specific business mission and of the consistent work we do at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the jointly responsible line Ministries. Let me underline, at this point, that bilateral trade amounted to € 1.3 billion in 2021, increased by 57% compared to the corresponding of 2020. At the same time, the National Strategy for Extroversion 2022 – that is Greece’s roadmap for its international economic relations- includes 18 targeted extroversion actions concerning Saudi Arabia.
The sectors where there is great interest from both sides, as well as many prospects, are tourism, shipping, energy and especially renewable sources, construction, digital technologies and the agri-food sector. In fact, following our return from Riyadh, important collaborations have already been announced, some of which have a national footprint.
JOURNALIST: Is there a possibility that Saudi Arabia will supply Greece with larger quantities of fossil fuels, if deemed necessary?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: Well, one of the agreements with a national footprint – considering, obviously, the current global situation – is the agreement in principle between Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) and the Saudi state oil company SAUDI ARAMCO, to increase the supply of crude oil and other products. This is an agreement of national importance as it shields the country’s energy security and it is indicative of the strategic relationship we have currently developed with Saudi Arabia.
Let me mention at this point another project of national importance, on which there has been significant progress during this trip. It is the project of the digital interconnection of SE Asia and Europe (from Singapore to Genoa) with a high speed and capacity submarine optical cable, which will connect 39 stations in 33 countries. It is a project funded by Greece, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia and turns Greece into a digital hub and the gateway to the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
JOURNALIST: With which countries does Athens seek / aim to develop strong economic relations? What will the next targeted business mission be?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: Our goals are now reflected in the National Strategy for Extroversion, which I have already mentioned. It is the first time that we have, as a country, a comprehensive program for our international economic relations, drafted by the General Secretariat for International Economic Relations and Openness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, making use of the network of the Economic and Commercial Affairs Offices of our Embassies. Under this Plan, all actions of the line ministries regarding trade relations and investments are developed in a coordinated and targeted manner, by geographical area. In fact, the presentation of the National Strategy for Extroversion 2022, which was originally scheduled for March 4, is still pending and will take place as soon as conditions on the international stage allow. The scheduled extroversion actions will be officially announced then and we will talk more about them. At the moment, I would like to mention that, end of March, a smaller business mission to the United Arab Emirates, specifically to Dubai, will take place in the framework of the international exhibition EXPO 2020
JOURNALIST: Has progress been made in the “Positive Agenda” between Greece and Turkey, of which you are leading on the Greek side? If so, in what areas?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: I am glad that you give me the opportunity to refer to the Positive Agenda, to this initiative that we have undertaken at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which concerns the promotion of our bilateral relations with emphasis on issues of low policy but high added value, mainly in the economy. This positive agenda revolves around sectors such as transport, environment, tourism, small and medium-sized enterprises. The implementation of the positive agenda initiative in our relations with Turkey, in the approximately one-year of its duration, has brought the following tangible results: the reactivation of the Joint Economic Committee of the two countries in order to overcome problems that prevent or hinder trade; the organization of a Forum for the promotion of tourism and the increase of tourist flows from both sides; the promotion of the construction of a new border bridge in Evros (Kipoi – Ipsala); the discussions between ferry companies for the maritime interconnection between Thessaloniki and Smyrna, with the relevant decisions expected to be announced at the next meeting of the positive agenda. These are steps towards promoting bilateral economic relations that only mutual benefits can bring. Out of the 25 topics included in the positive agenda, 10 have already been completed, while significant progress has been recorded in the rest and we continue our efforts consistently.
JOURNALIST: Can progress on “Positive Agenda” issues give impetus to the high policy issues in Greek-Turkish relations?
K. FRAGOGIANNIS: As I have already pointed out, the positive agenda covers low policy issues, without touching on sensitive issues in the bilateral relations of the two countries. Greece’s positions on our national issues are clear and non-negotiable, and as long as Turkey chooses to make provocative statements and raise non-existent issues under international law, this obviously makes it difficult to rekindle relations. However, we remain convinced that creating a positive climate, in whatever area this is possible, could alleviate tensions in other areas as well. In particular, any initiative that has a positive impact on Turkey’s fragile economy could potentially have a positive impact on relations as a whole.