The continuity and strategic importance of economic diplomacy and extroversion for the country are emphasized by statements by both outgoing Deputy Foreign Minister, Tasu Hatzivasiliouas well as the new Deputy Minister, Harry Theocharis.

Delivery-receiving ceremony took place at State Department.

Receiving his portfolio Haris Theocharis, he said:

“The assumption of my duties as the Deputy Foreign Minister is a high honor and at the same time a great responsibility. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his confidence and I am committed to serving the national interests.

We continue consistently and plan, reinforcing Greece’s international presence, building bridges of cooperation and fully utilizing the opportunities of foreign policy for the benefit of the country and its citizens.

I undertake the crucial sector of economic diplomacy and extroversion, in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and my predecessor, Tasos Hatzivasiliou, offered a substantial and measurable work. Our priority is to attract investment, support the export dynamics of the Greek economy and promote the country as a reliable and innovative partner on the international stage.

With respect to the legacy of my predecessors and faith in the principles of modern diplomacy, we are taking steady and decisive steps to the future.

On the side of the Foreign Minister, Mr. George Gerapetritis, with whom it linked me with sincere appreciation and a spirit of close cooperation, we will continue the essential work that is already being done, with the aim of further enhancing Greece’s international position and promoting our national goals with consistency, reliability.

And the outgoing Tasos Hatzivasiliou said:

“I handed over the duties of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for financial diplomacy and extroversion, to colleague Haris Theocharis with a sense of responsibility and emotion.

During the last 6 months, we have worked hard and methodically to enhance Greece’s international presence and create new bridges of cooperation between Greek businesses and the world market.

I had the honor of representing the country on many missions abroad, highlighting Greek investment opportunities and building alliances with strategic partners.

We have organized, together with various countries, a high -level business fora, reinforcing economic diplomacy in practice. We supported exports and entrepreneurship and designed significant reforms to Enterprise Greece and Export Credit Greece.

With the bill on the mechanism of controlling the “Immediate Foreign Investment, we introduced institutional guarantees of transparency, security and rapid handling for international investors for the first time, enhancing the country’s image. At the same time, we are facilitating Greek exports and foreign investment with the creation of the myoey.live.gov.gr platform, with which entrepreneurs and investors have the opportunity to plan digital appointments with the Foreign Ministry’s offices without physical presence.

I would like to thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his confidence, as well as Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis for his support in all our initiatives. Finally, I owe special thanks to colleagues Alexandra Papadopoulou, Yiannis Loverdos and Giorgos Kotsiras, as well as to the Secretary General Dimitris Skalkos. Above all, I thank the Foreign Minister’s executives who are distinguished for their ability and professionalism.

I wish every success to friend and colleague Harry Theocharis. I am sure that it will continue our work dynamically for the benefit of the homeland. “