Today we had the opportunity to attend an exceptionally powerful and important forum in Bahrain, the Manama Dialogue. This is where politicians, business leaders and members of the intellectual elite gather to discuss issues related not only to the security of the Gulf countries but also to the security of the entire world.
In my intervention, I had the opportunity to emphasize Greece’s strategic role as a bridge between East and West, North and South and its strategic relationship with all the countries of the Gulf and the wider Middle East, with the entire Arab world.
Greece has maintained a principled stance. Greece stands at the heart of all international organizations, at the core of the European Union, NATO, and on the United Nations Security Council. It possesses diplomatic power and enjoys economic prosperity. It is a country capable of playing a significant role in bridging differences and leading us toward a safer world.
On the sidelines of the Dialogue Forum, I met with a number of Foreign Ministers who also attended the event in Bahrain and have a significant influence on developments in the sensitive region of the broader Middle East, such as the Foreign Ministers of Jordan and Bahrain. I also had the opportunity to meet and exchange views with other counterparts, including the Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom. I addressed issues concerning Greece, our bilateral relations, as well as the role that Greece can and must play in promoting peace and prosperity in the wider region.
Finally, during my visit, I had the opportunity to visit Baghdad, Iraq, where I met with the President of the Republic of Iraq, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Council of Representatives of Iraq.
Bilateral relations between Greece and Iraq are in a phase of development. Economic cooperation is progressing well. A Greek business delegation will soon visit Baghdad to explore investment opportunities. Greece, with its strong diplomatic capital, is present throughout the wider region, contributing to regional prosperity and being recognized by all countries as a power that possesses both the diplomatic influence and the capacity to play a significant role in the region and the world.
November 1, 2025