Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, who visits New York as part of a high-level open-ended debate on sea security, interviewed the US television network CNN and journalist Richard Quest, including the United Kingdom Agreement. Greece’s economic recovery and sea security.

Answering a question about the UK Agreement-EU andits its benefits for the tourism and trade Mr Gerapetritis warmly welcomed the new agreement, highlighting Greece’s support and active participation in its completion.

It emphasized its importance not only for trade and tourism, two main pillars of the Greek -British relationship, but also for European strategic autonomy. As he said, Europe cannot exist without the UK cooperation and This agreement is a substantial upgrading of cooperation. Greece looks forward to continuing the common path.

“I believe that beyond trade, peoples’ diplomacy and tourism, this is an important step in strengthening European strategic autonomy. We cannot imagine Europe without the United Kingdom. It is a great upgrade and we look forward to working closely” He stressed.

About whether this agreement “Reflects a delayed but necessary adaptation due to US-Russia geopolitical pressures” and “could have been achieved earlier if there was no political stiffness”, Mr Gerapetritis said that today’s geopolitical reality has imposed a cool approach and stressed that Greece believes in the power of dialogue and the need for studied diplomacy. As he explained, in times of crisis, states tend to rally, seeking common power and enhanced negotiating capacity. Today’s international risks have led to necessary convergence.

“It is important to sit on the table and discuss … When challenges appear, the states, the governments come closer. he said.

Asked about Greece’s economic recovery after the crisis, Mr Gerapetritis described the difficult times Greece has gone, with a decade of austerity and nearly 25% loss of GDP. But he pointed out the impressive recovery of the last six years, with the country to lead in Europe at growth rates, reduction of unemployment and deficit limit. He stressed that Greece is now borrowing in terms of corresponding or even better than other European countries, which confirms the return of market confidence. At the same time, it highlighted the importance of the government’s political stability and pro -investment policy.

“We have a stable government, investment -friendly. That is why we have welcomed in Greece top US companies such as Amazon, Pfizer, Google, Cisco. They all found a fertile environment” Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized.

On the goals of Greece in the UN Open debate on sea ​​security The Foreign Minister stressed that 80% of world trade is moving through sea and so sea -road safety is critical to the global economy.

Pointed out the need for Protection of the freedom of navigationand the treatment of modern threatssuch as the climate crisis, cyberattacks, terrorism, piracy and the movement of people. As he explained, Greece will propose a new international context that will allow greater freedom of movement, as well as increased measures to protect against hybrid threats. Gave particular emphasis In the fight against trafficking in human beingswhich he described as a modern threat to human dignity.

“All of these challenges must be addressed. The fact that this is a global challenge means a global response” is required “ noted.