“The relationship between Greece and France is special. It is special on a political level. As you know, I signed a strategic partnership agreement with President Macron last year in Paris, which is particularly important for France’s geopolitical presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
I have a very personal and close relationship with President Macron. He is the most popular foreign leader in Greece and I would say that France is probably the most popular country of all in Greece, something that I think you should take into account when you are considering either expanding your presence or being more active in Greece. ” stressed the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the meeting he had today at the Maximos Palace with a delegation of French Business Movement (Movement of French Entrepreneurs – MEDEF), the largest association of companies and industries in France.
“The message you received, that Greece has returned, is the truth. This is clearly shown by the overall performance of macroeconomic indicators, but it is also the feeling you get when you just travel around the country “added Kyriakos Mitsotakis and added:
“We have a pool of skilled labor of about 500,000 young Greeks who left during the crisis and for the first time seek to return. And sometimes the easiest way to get back is to work for a big foreign company like yours. This makes the transition much smoother. Overall, then, we have reason to be pleased with the performance of the economy. But we also know very well the difficulties that we have in front of us “.
The Prime Minister added: “I know that many of you have been active in Greece for many years and I would like to thank the companies that remained in Greece during the very difficult second decade of the 21st century, when we experienced our ‘financial nightmare’. “French companies remain committed to Greece and it is something we appreciate very much.”
“Impressed with the air of change” that blows in Greece, said the French businessmen, pointing out that the investment interest returns to the country as a result of the work of the Greek government.
“If you look at the number of foreign companies, not just French ones, that invest in Greece, it is really remarkable how quickly this change was achieved. And what is also interesting is that foreign companies do not only invest in sectors where Greece has had a traditional comparative advantage, such as tourism and possibly renewable energy sources. They also examine the fields of high technology, logistics, education, health, giving value to the fact that this country has a very high quality human resources “, noted Kyriakos Mitsotakis, presenting the prospects of the Greek economy and the ongoing reform agenda that makes the country a competitive investment destination.
The Prime Minister particularly stressed the problem of energy costs and reiterated that a solution must be sought at European level.
“We have recently introduced a very dynamic and substantial package to reduce electricity bills in our country. But I also expect Europe to coordinate our actions and understand that this is a European challenge that requires a European response. We did it last year with the Recovery Fund and the NextGenerationEU package. “I think we need to do it again for energy,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
For their part, the representatives of French companies expressed their interest in the new prospects that are being created and their confidence in the long-term stability, sustainability and growth potential of the Greek economy.
The meeting was attended by representatives of some of the largest French companies, led by MEDEF President Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux. The delegation included other senior executives of the association, including L’Oreal President Jean-Paul Agon, as well as executives representing Airbus, Bollore, Bouygues Batiment International, Egis, Fives, Galileo Global, Idemia, Iveco France, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group, Naval Group, Ratp Development, Safran, Saur International, Sulo, Thales and Vinci Concessions.
On behalf of SEV, the Deputy General Manager of the Association, George Xirogiannis, and Efthymios Vidalis, Chairman of the Executive Committee, participated. The Head of the Finance Office of the Prime Minister Alexis Patelis was also present at the meeting.
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