The opportunities that “gives birth” to Europe and Greece or Greece New US Commercial Policy And the need to change our country’s productive model has highlighted a very interesting debate, which took place in the context of the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, which takes place in Delphi April 9-12.

OR Anna Diamantopoulou, President of the Network, he argued that Europe is in front of two major challenges, starting due to the recent change in US policy. One is financial with duties and the second is its defense policy. He expressed the view that so far the European Union has reacted calmly. “In Europe we must not cry our fate. We are led to paralysis with such treatment, ”commented Ms. Diamantopoulou.

During the discussion co-ordinated by Maria-Nefeli Sarafoglou, a journalist and presenter of ANT1, Mrs Diamantopoulou cited a recent article by Mario Draghi, who wrote that Europe should not deal with Trump duties, but with its own omissions, Trade and services, while neither the energy market nor the capital market is not single.

Mrs Diamantopoulou has expressed the view that all 27 EU countries do not need to agree, but those who want and can, can move forward by quickly organizing the next steps. In addition, he stressed that the issue of defense industrial strategy in Europe is a great opportunity for Greece and for the Greek industries. He described the country’s change of productive model as a big bet, highlighting the need to shift exports to Asia.

THE Michael Stasinopoulos Executive Director of Viohalco SA, president of Elvalhalcor and president of Greek production said that Europe, though slowly, is much stronger than it appears. “The conditions that are created have awakened us all,” Mr. Stasinopoulos stressed, saying that there is no strategic autonomy without domestic production, technological production and advanced production.

He explained that the industry should be supported by energy costs and interconnections, expressing its optimism for Europe, as long as the latest developments re -activate the industry.

Referring to Greece, Mr Stasinopoulos recalled that we had forgotten the industry in the country for over 20 years and now it takes some excesses from both the state and the political system and the banks to create a strong productive pillar. “Our potential is for Europe’s last place. We have to get out of the box and increase productivity, ”he added.

THE Konstantinos Yazitzoglou, President of the Hellenic Mining Association noted that over the past 25 years the consumption of fossil raw materials in Europe has increased more than twice, while production has decreased by 35%, with a group of countries controlling critical mineral raw materials. He noted that anyone who controls a piece of these mineral raw materials essentially controls who will have the next technology. “So the problem is that some are keeping the reins of technological evolution and innovation in their hands, and we are moving at rhythms of Europe,” said Yazitzoglou.

He said that as the European Commission is making pillars and plans to advise countries and businesses, China alone in October gave 22 billion euros to buy deposits in other countries. “So sit in Brussels to discuss how to make a plan with 7 pillars and 33 white Bibles,” the president of the Mining Association said.

THE Nikos VettasGeneral Manager of the Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) and a professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business estimated that Greece has a great opportunity to increase its exports, but it is not possible for all European countries to grow through exports, because we should ultimately export. He noted that Europe has a great deal of dependence on specific imports, lagging behind high -value exports. It does not allow innovation as in other countries, while not encouraging risk. Concerning Greece, Mr Vettas argued that if the existing productive model continued, the growth rates will find a ceiling and start receding.

“Will there be a wake up to Europe? Probably I wish it were, but the dangers are three. One has to do with defense. We are talking about more armor of our continent. We have a special issue here, obviously a special problem, but this is not cheap to spend 1% or 2% more than GDP on defense. This costs and if you don’t do it with high technology it costs next to, ”commented Mr Vettas. The second is that Europe has bureaucrats and politicians, who when there is a crisis are looking to increase their own influence on things.

“This is the last thing Europe must do. Because Europe is suffering from the fact that there is not enough financial freedom, despite the fact that we have a strong social state, “said Vettas. The third danger is to politically invest in fear, which in itself cannot lead to social consensus.

Philip Lowe, Senior Adviser Kekst-CNC, also referred to the Draghi and Letta reports, saying that Europe’s advantages and weaknesses were sketched and indicated areas where the action is needed to enhance competitiveness. It stood in the concept of Europe’s strategic autonomy, stressing that it should not depend on other countries.

“I believe that the latest challenges have accelerated the motives of at least European institutions to do something quickly. Now, when I talk about European institutions, as you know, there is no government in Europe. There is a committee proposing things and there are 27 Member States to agree, “commented Mr Lowe, adding that this will require a lot of effort both within the Commission and in the Member States.

THE Christian HatziminasPresident of the Hellenic Association of Entrepreneurs ENE, Founder of EFA Group, founder & CEO of Theon analyzed ENE’s proposal regarding the training and training of staff in the new technological challenges. “The biggest investment that Greece needs to make immediately to change its productive model is to invest in human resources. It is a terrible opportunity, ”said Hatziminas, describing it as necessary to re -educate the whole production process.

In this context, entrepreneurs propose to increase wages, but these increases that are intertwined with re -education in digital skills not to be charged either by non -wage costs or by contributions or income tax.

Concerning the setting after the Trump duties, Mr. Hatziminas said he was overwhelming for the next day. “I am optimistic about the future of Europe. And if there wasn’t Trump, we would have to invent a Trump. Because Europe will be forced to make decisions, to deal with trade drastically and faster. “

He argued that both Europe and America would finally be forced to invest on both sides of the Atlantic. He estimated that America is doing all this because it wants to drop the dollar because it is the only way to reduce the trade deficit without duties. As for the defense industry, Mr Hatziminas described the defense as a “expensive sport”, which is at the same time an necessary investment.