Deputy Minister,
Secretary Generals,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure that I am here with you today for the presentation of the 2nd National Strategic Openness Plan for 2022.
For the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the year 2021 was very significant. A broad reform effort was implemented at the legislative level with the establishment of the Ministry's new Organizational statute. And, to be honest with you, this endeavor is still ongoing. It is, in fact, in its early stages, in my opinion.
The Ministry's structure has been modernized. In terms of legislation, the components of
• the Economic and Public Diplomacy,
• the International Development Cooperation, as well as
• Greek Diaspora issues,
have been fully integrated.
In other words, the diplomatic work is legislatively unified, and my colleagues Mr. Katsaniotis and Mr. Fragogiannis are heading two strands of this great undertaking.
As a result, traditional diplomacy, which is performed by the Minister and the Alternate Minister, Mr. Varvitsiotis, is combined with a modern, dynamic and multifaceted work involving economic diplomacy, public diplomacy and the Greek Diaspora.
It was an attempt to keep up with the ever-changing international landscape and the ever-emerging challenges.
Because, as the 21st century has demonstrated, crises may also be windows of opportunity; and, with the correct response, they can lead to favorable outcomes.
So, I would say that the result is encouraging.
We have broadened the circle of our bilateral relations through constant contacts with my counterparts and active engagement. We are forging closer ties with states that have not traditionally been our partners or interlocutors. By way of example, I would like to mention my visits to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Nigeria, Angola, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Gabon, and Cape Verde; also, our new Embassy in Senegal, in French-speaking Africa in conjunction with our participation in Francophonie; the reopening of our Embassy in Tripoli, our Consulate General in Benghazi.
I should also mention vaccine diplomacy, which has been a catalyst for our relations with Sub-Saharan Africa. We have sent millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the African continent, either bilaterally or through the European COVAX mechanism. The figure is approaching 5 million doses.
We also focused on the Asian and Gulf countries which are outside the conventional scope of Greek foreign policy. Let me also recall the visits to India and Japan, only a few months ago.
And our participation in International and Regional Organizations and multilateral cooperation schemes, with the ‘3+1’ format of Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the USA being the most prominent, and which we aspire to become ‘4’. This simple calculation that 3+1 equals 4 will be a huge political step for Greece and I believe it will be accomplished.
But you will allow me tell you about the three candidacy campaigns that, for the first time in its history, our country is waging simultaneously: UN Security Council, Presidency of the General Assembly (2035), participation in the Human Rights Council (2027-28). Greece has never achieved two of these three objectives; just one of them has been achieved, once.
In general, we are making a huge effort to capitalize on our geostrategic position, which also constitutes a challenge.
And to seek, always with realism and a sense of our own stature, the upgrading of our footprint in the wider region.
And I think that this is precisely what Economic Diplomacy can bring to light. We put an emphasis on the promotion of energy issues, as well as interconnectivity and logistics. Because I believe it has now become evident to everyone that Greece has the potential to emerge as a major regional hub.
It is well understood that Greek economic diplomacy requires a long-term strategy and a clear goal-setting. There are three pillars to it:
1) promoting Greek products so that they can be competitive in international markets. If an economy does not export, it will perish.
2) the practical support of the human element, namely Greek exporters
3) the promotion of our country as an attractive investment destination.
When I was Minister of Development, according to the numbers I had at the time, Greece had lost over 100 billion due to disinvestment. These funds must be reinvested and, indeed, increased if our country is to enter a path of significant economic growth.
And you will allow me to provide two numbers that haunt me. Greece’s GDP is estimated to be worth around 200 billion dollars. For Greece to become what we all really want it to be, we need to go beyond 300 billion in the foreseeable future and approach 400 billion in the next 15 years. Then we will be roughly the size of a country like the Netherlands. So let us not think that this is some exaggerated idea of our own value. It is about achieving the European levels that we deserve and are entitled to.
Our structure is:
- The network of Embassies and Economic and Commercial Affairs Offices around the world,
- Enterprise Greece,
- The Hellenic Export Credit Company SA (formerly ECIO), through which information and insurance is provided to Greek entrepreneurs that are active abroad.
These actions are clearly reflected in the National Strategic Openness Plan which serves as the roadmap of our economic diplomacy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Mitsotakis Government recognizes the unique potential of Greek diplomacy and is investing a great deal in it.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must evolve to a dynamic organization that renews itself, that takes on challenges and reshapes conditions as the geopolitical environment is changing.
An environment where vigilance and seizing opportunities is the necessary condition for our national survival.
Thank you so much.
May 26, 2022