In the presence of the Prime Minister of the country Kyriakou Mitsotakis and the vice chancellor of Germany Robert Hambeckthe opening of the pavilion of the Federal Republic of Germany, honored country of this year’s 88th TIF, took place.

Mr. Mitsotakis thanked Germany for accepting the invitation and the challenge to be the honored country of the 88th Thessaloniki International Exhibition 2024, referring to the challenge of filling the large space offered to them. “If it wasn’t for the strong business and economic ties between our two countries, I don’t think it would have been possible to fill this space,” the Prime Minister emphasized and noted that, “the fact that we have 130 companies that are present here open to the public to explain their own stories, it proves the strong economic ties we have between Greece and Germany. This is precisely the testimony to the fact that we have built a very strong economic bilateral partnership and you are right to point out that, you know, our historical relations have been tested.”

It is true, Mr. Mitsotakis said, that, “as Greece went through its own economic crisis, Germany’s views were sometimes distorted by the pain felt by Greek citizens. But the truth is that we have left those years behind us. The Greek economy is now growing very fast. Which means it presents a lot of opportunities. For German companies to have a presence in Greece and to invest in Greece and we must not forget that Germany is one of the largest foreign investors in Greece. We should also not forget that during the years of the crisis, German companies really stuck to investments in Greece and continued to invest in the country.”

“This exhibition is an opportunity to strengthen our bilateral, economic ties, to identify new opportunities, but also because this, as you pointed out, is a rare global exhibition event. The visitors who come have fun but at the same time get to know the German companies. This is on a bilateral level, there is an excellent cooperation between Greece and Germany”, underlined the prime minister and noted that “we are faced with enormous challenges, for particularly sensitive issues such as the green transition and climate change – we have been directly affected by the climate crisis in more Mediterranean countries”.

Mr. Mitsotakis referring to the European policy for the green transition said that, “we are moving into the next European cycle, there will be many interesting discussions that we will have, about how we will really make the green transition a reality, without compromising on the goals us – while at the same time maintaining the competitiveness and national security of our industries, while supporting the people who are truly suffering from the climate crisis today. It’s not an easy equation to solve, but we know we have good and skilled partners when we engage in this discussion.”

Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Hambeckpointed out that “for us it is a great honor to be an honored country, I have visited Greece in the past, the beaches of your country, but it is the first time that I am in your country, specifically in Thessaloniki, at this historic international exhibition, as Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for the Economy and Climate Protection. This is an international exhibition for the people, for the world, for all citizens and it is a great honor to present Germany in this huge space, created and granted to us by you Mr. Prime Minister, to realize the largest participation of German exhibitors which has taken place abroad in the last 25 years”.

He clarified that, “it was not difficult for us to find exhibitors. More than 130 companies exhibit their products in this space, where you can take a tour and see our signature water-harvesting trees. Everyone knows that the Greek-German relationship has a long history and concerns people who cooperate professionally, financially and have friendly relations. I invite you to browse our booth and get to know the German companies, get informed and be entertained. Thank you Mr. Mitsotakis, we are very happy that you invited us here to this wonderful exhibition”.

For his part, the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture of Germany, Cem Ezdemir when he saw the prime minister without a tie, he chose to take his own off as well. From the podium, he greeted the people in Greek and noted that it is a great honor to be in Thessaloniki at the opening of the 88th TIF.

“The relations between Germany and Greece are strong, we have the same challenges as the latest natural disasters, the fires and we will be next to you, next to your country, next to your citizens. We will do everything to stand by you. We all know the cost of the climate crisis and thank you, Prime Minister, for being actively involved in this important issue and we will work together as long as possible,” he stressed.

The three men cut the red ribbon at the same time, officially opening the Federal Republic of Germany’s pavilion. Afterwards, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the 6,000 sq.m. pavilion. and conversed with the German exhibitors.