Kalafatis: We take advantage of the unique advantages of Macedonia and Thrace

“In Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace, a huge change is taking place. Investors are already located and active in Northern Greece. I have regular contacts with many. I recommend to those who are thinking to invest, to look behind the numbers. To discover the special advantages of the region and to invest in its human resources”, emphasized the Deputy Minister of the Interior, responsible for Macedonia-Thrace issues, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, in his speech at the 4th Delphi Forum for Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean on which is co-organized by the Delphi Economic Forum, the newspaper “I Kathimerini” and the Hellenic-American Leadership Council (HALC), in Washington.

In Northern Greece, added St. Kalafatis, there are “high quality educational institutions, the Aristotle University, the University of Macedonia, the Democritus University of Thrace, the University of Western Macedonia and the International University. Graduates are highly educated and well qualified people. So there are many reasons to invest, there are opportunities. Thessaloniki, through the agenda of 30+ projects, will in 2030 become a catalyst city in the wider region. I therefore consider that this is a special strategic move, in which the Prime Minister himself, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, proceeded, so that we can take advantage of the unique advantages we have in the northern part of Greece”.

As pointed out by Mr. Caulk: «Greece has gone through successive crises in recent years. In the beginning was the debt crisis. We were then forced to make painful decisions that cost us all dearly. When – in the middle of 2019 – Kyriakos Mitsotakis and New Democracy assumed responsibility for the governance of the country, we started bold reforms to restructure the economy and create a fertile investment environment. But we were hit – like the whole world – by the pandemic. The health protection measures have shrunk economic activity and created an immediate risk of business lockouts and a new surge in unemployment. We responded with targeted measures – exceeding 43 billion euros to prevent double jeopardy and keep the productive fabric standing. And we succeeded. When the pandemic subsided, our economy jumped like a compressed spring and the growth rate in 2021 exceeded 8%.

Especially for the measures taken on supporting the economically weak due to the economic shocks caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he underlined: “Before we could catch our breath, we – like the whole world – were faced with the economic shocks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With the nightmarish explosion of international energy prices, global inflation and new recessionary pressure. With full respect for the necessary fiscal balance, we took targeted measures – exceeding 13 billion – to support the weakest. And at the same time with a mechanism for extracting excess revenues from the providers – we are the first in Europe – we minimized the electricity price increases for everyone.

We continued at the same time reforms for the digital transformation of the state, the improvement of competitiveness, the extroversion of the economy, the attraction of investments. At the same time, we aimed to turn the crisis into an opportunity, making Macedonia and Thrace an energy and transportation hub. We launched a breathing project plan across Northern Greece and put 30 projects on track for Thessaloniki 2030. We brought investments from global giants of new technologies. And we started the evolution of Alexandroupoli into a liquefied natural gas gateway for us and our neighbors. And this in combination with the new strategic relationship of our Country with the USA. and the American military presence there gives new dynamics to the region. They contribute to stability and security. And they prove, once again, that our country is a stable and reliable ally.

Despite the international uncertainty we succeeded in the past year growth twice the Eurozone average, which this year is estimated to move, obviously at lower levels, but three times the European average. We have achieved record growth in exports and foreign direct investment, a renaissance in tourism and further reductions in unemployment. We have achieved successive upgrades of our economy, we have come out of the strengthened European supervision and we are now one step before the investment stage. The conclusion is clear: Greece is becoming stronger geopolitically, militarily and economically today. It takes the lead in making European decisions to deal with crises. It consolidates a climate of security and stability. It moves with confidence to a better tomorrow.”

The work of the forum they focused on energy security, the security architecture of the region and the main priorities in Greek-American relations.

Deborah Wince-Smith, President & CEO, US Council on Competitiveness, Nikos Vettas, General Director, Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research; Professor, AUEB, Megan Greene, Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Christos Harpantidis, Vice President Philip Morris International, South-East Europe and Christian Hadjiminas, Chairman, EFA GROUP; President, Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association, (EENE). The discussion was moderated by journalist Apostolos Maggiriadis.

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