On Monday, 31 January, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis presented the Economic Diplomacy results for 2010 and programming for 2011 at an event held at the Foreign Ministry’s Kranidiotis Amphitheatre.
The past year was characterized as a turning point in the externalization of the Greek economy, due to the fact that, despite financial difficulties, the export sector grew significantly. Economic diplomacy emerged as a basic pillar of Greek foreign policy, with a significant number of visits exchanged around the world, a dynamic presence in the Gulf States and revitalized relations with Libya, Russia and other countries. Particular emphasis was also put on regional activities, particularly as regards the Black Sea and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative.
Sectoral and geographical priorities were drawn up for 2011. Within this framework, ad hoc working groups will be set up to ensure effective collaboration between involved ministries, export agencies and the private sector. There will also be a number of initiatives for new “branding” of Greece and Greek products and utilization of the digital convergence programme. Activation in areas of the world where Greece does not yet have significant cooperation – including Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa – is planned for the second half of the year. Finally, there will be evaluation and positive reinforcement of enterprises that show themselves to be the most externalized and achieving the best results.
The Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General for International Economic Relations & Development Cooperation, Mr. Papadopoulos, and the Secretary General of the Regional Development Ministry, Mr. Drymousis, also participated in the presentation.
January 31, 2011