In his speech at Naftemporiki’s 5th Shipping Conference, entitled “Shipping in the decade of major changes and challenges,” Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis referred to using Greece’s strong position in the shipping sector to help the country return to the international dialogue with credibility.
Among other things, Mr. Varvitsiotis – having congratulated the hosts of the event – highlighted that Greek shipping withstood the crisis, contributing €56 billion to the national economy – along with jobs and geopolitical clout for the country on the world map – noting that “Greece’s shipowners have shown that they can seize opportunities.” He underscored that, as one of the biggest shipping powers in the world and the biggest in Europe, Greece must move ahead boldly with a positive agenda, which will become our national policy. He also underscored that, in this context, we have to capitalise on international shipping power in diplomacy and in the role our country plays in international forums, taking initiatives and, in the framework of the EU, shaping European political decisions. He also referred to the need for young people to return to the sea and for us to open up the shipping profession by emphasising shipping education to produce young personnel in merchant shipping and make our country a Global Centre of Shipping Know-How. “Greek shipping,” he stressed, “is a weapon that not only brings significant benefits for our national economy as a whole, but also fills us with pride.”
January 23, 2020