Openness in the new era
The pandemic and the ensuing crisis have had unprecedented repercussions for public health, the economy, and all of our lives, jobs, expectations and futures. Very few expected it, and, in the end, no state entity was adequately prepared for it.
All countries tried, at different speeds, to respond to the direct threat to their vital interests, societies, economies and social institutions. ‘Free trade’, as we knew it, was threatened by the emergency needs of the health crisis, leading to new health code rules, higher transport costs, expropriated goods, bans and even confiscation. National needs seemed to lead to policies that ran counter to ‘hyper-globalisation’ in order to manage the new normal, to the point where there are debates over adapting the EU and WHO’s institutional measures on protectionism to the needs of this new age.
In this first stage of managing the crisis, ‘Economic Diplomacy & Openness’ mobilised immediately, in close cooperation with the Health Ministry, the National Organization for Public Health, and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research & Technology. It supported the chartering of 23 cargo flights from China, coordinating all of its tools, the central service and our missions abroad to transport many thousands of cubic meters of medical supplies and personal protective equipment. It maintained international relations with potential investors and redefined goals and priorities for the ‘day after’ the crisis. The new normal is coming, and we need to be prepared for it.
Open, modern and dynamic diplomacy must continue to contribute to the economic, social and environmental development of Greece. Now more than ever. In traditional and new ways. Based on emerging needs. With new ideas. Evaluating emerging opportunities. Boldly and imaginatively. With dedication to serving Greece’s bilateral and multilateral economic relations. Supporting enterprises through export-boosting actions. By attracting foreign investments to our country and, finally, creating and promoting Greece’s modern image at home and abroad.
The country's self-sufficiency and security with regards to supply chains are the salient priority in the context of this new normality. The new normality in terms of healthcare, technology and industry. Our special geographical position, the wealth of our human resources, capitalization on our privileged political relations with traditional allies and new partners, our added credibility accruing from our successful management of the crisis, and our firm European orientation give us a comparative advantage over other states and can lead to investments in shifting part of the production process from America or Asia to the Greek Economic Space. 'Re-shoring', as it is called, has economic, national, and even geopolitical dimensions.
The digital transformation we had planned came earlier than we expected – of necessity, and thus we all willingly embraced it. The public space extended into a supplementary cyberspace for activating private and public dialogue. Video conferences, digital platforms and virtual exhibits brought tomorrow's normalcy today. Electronic channels related trade, digital promotion, targeted promotion, retraining of employees, webinars, and national stalls hosting dozens of small and medium-sized Greek enterprises on major Internet platforms are just some of the actions we plan for the next day. Tangible and practical applications, implemented quickly.
Attracting foreign investments requires certain terms and conditions that are not limited to simply providing incentives, and this takes time. To this end, hundreds of meetings, presentations, events and actions were held in previous months on dozens of trips to China, Holland, France, America, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Qatar, with the result that the international business community now considers Greece a trusted and stable investment destination. Dozens of businesses are actively interested in investing in our country, in sectors such as energy – and renewable energy sources in particular – in infrastructure projects, tourism, real estate, in special thematic sectors and in high-tech projects. We are in ongoing contact with them to support the implementation of their plans when the crisis has abated.
The international community's view of Greece's image and positioning has already changed. Our country currently maintains its long-standing identity based on its history and culture, and its reputation for natural beauty and the Greek way of life. But the effective management of the epidemic crisis, the government's resolve, good administration, the effectiveness of the measures taken, political stability, coordinated actions, management of the migration crisis and guarding of our borders have all together created a credibility surplus and the conviction that something has already changed for the better. We have to promote and capitalize on this reputation dynamically and in a coordinated manner, and the "Repositioning Greece Project" aims to do precisely this. To promote the reality of modern Greece for everyone's benefit.
We are determined to win the ‘next day’ and we are preparing for this, but we still have much to do. The health crisis has already rallied society and – more importantly – created a relationship of trust between citizens and the state. This is building a new culture in our relations, with dynamic implications for the years to come. We are preparing for recovery and we will do everything fiscally possible to support this recovery.
The crisis is yet another change in the perpetual course of history. The new era is emerging on terms of realpolitik, where coordination of forces, a spirit of cooperation, a disciplined strategic approach and practical interventions become tools for responding to problems. Any difficulties that appear on the horizon require pragmatic solutions, free of empty populist ambitions.
The coronavirus epidemic brought concern about our health and anxiety over our jobs. But it also brought a new political model – it brought boldness, pragmatism, self-confidence and new ideas of the new age. The new normal.
May 17, 2020