A Webinar on “The importance of transparency in international business transactions: current challenges and new developments” was held today, Thursday, July 1, co-organized by the Office of the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, the Secretariat General for International Economic Affairs and Openness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Transparency Authority.
“Greece is now actively participating in the European dialogue, setting and promoting the agenda” in issues of the rule of law, stressed Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in his opening speech. In fact, the establishment of the National Transparency Authority by the Mitsotakis Government was considered by the European Commission in its relevant reports as a major step towards achieving transparency, he added, emphasizing that “the goal of the Greek government is to put transparency at the centre of the development of business activity”.
Referring to the European Union’s joint response to the health and economic crisis, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that we will be able to meet the new requirements of the economy “if we make good use of the funds and opportunities ahead of us”, stating that “the fact that Greece has undertaken a leading role in adopting a huge recovery package and now is called upon to manage about a third of its GDP in European funding offers a tremendous opportunity. Over the next seven years, our generation is given the great opportunity to deliver a reliable, capable, economically dynamic Greece to the future generations”.
The Alternate Minister added that there is still a lot of work to be done, at a national and international level, however the steps that have been taken so far in the Greek system and the reforms planned by the Greek Government point to the right direction. Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that “all the initiatives that we take at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attract investments and investors, but also people who will contribute to the National GDP (Business Visa, Student Visa, Digital Nomad Visa), are related with the utilization of new technologies that will ensure quick access to administrative procedures and will reduce bureaucratic obstacles”.
Secretary General for International Economic Affairs and Openness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President of Enterprise Greece, Ioannis Smirlis, addressed the webinar noting that “corruption is undoubtedly a complex and multifaceted phenomenon which in fact goes beyond the narrow confines of a single state”.
Mr. Smirlis stressed that the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working intensively to promote investment and openness, focusing on transparency and the implementation of the rule of law “because we believe this is the only way to achieve better results in a longer perspective”.
The Governor of the National Transparency Authority, Angelos Binis, referred to the importance of transparency in international business transactions as a priority in the fight against corruption and bribery, in accordance with international and European standards. Mr. Binis called on the representatives of the competent bodies to remain vigilant and to continue their efforts to promote a business environment that shields integrity, strengthens healthy competition and attracts foreign investment.
Work continued with specialized contributions by executives of international and public bodies, as well as by representatives of the business community.
The Webinar was coordinated by journalist Ilias Siakantaris.