In cooperation with Deputy Minister, Mr. Gioulekas, we organized a large campaign today, to bring out a high symbolism and to highlight something that the country needs. The high symbolism is that Northern Greece and Thessaloniki are an immediate and major priority for the government. They are also the driving force of Greece. Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, is situated at the crossroads of East, West, North, and South. For our country it has an important geopolitical footprint. Our goal is to turn Thessaloniki and Northern Greece into a significant hub of trade, tourism, and culture, uniting the broader Balkan region, central and northern Europe, the Middle East, and the entire Mediterranean. Thessaloniki possesses all the elements for becoming a city that will combine, unify, and grow. It has a huge potential, which we will make sure to release. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with the productive bodies of the city and Northern Greece, the engine that drives the economy, the private initiative.
It is the Foreign Ministry's conviction that we will strengthen our exports in every way possible. We will turn Greece, and Northern Greece in particular, into a pillar, so that foreign direct investment will grow rapidly. A significant growth rate has already been recorded over the last 5 years, with 20% more businesses established in Northern Greece. Unemployment has declined substantially. A significant rate of growth is being recorded. However, our aim is to achieve much greater regional convergence. Northern Greece, which unfortunately has not developed as much as it might during the last few decades, is currently a top priority for the government. I had the opportunity to meet with the representatives of the foreign diplomatic missions in Thessaloniki to state the following: the Greek government in cooperation with the neighbouring Balkan countries, as well as with all our friendly countries abroad, will work together to make Thessaloniki a genuine gateway for our wider region, Europe and the world. I will also meet with representatives from the local government. It is necessary to have synergies at all levels of the administration, so that the beneficial effect is multiplied.
Concluding, I would like to emphasize that for geopolitical reasons and reasons related to the principles of our foreign policy, we want a Macedonia that will be strong, strong for Greece and the world. The stronger Thessaloniki and Northern Greece are, the larger our country's footprint in Europe and the world becomes. For this reason, strong diplomacy, strong national defence, and robust economy will combine and will invest in the prosperity of Northern Greece and the development of our Thessaloniki.
Thank you very much.
September 2, 2024