3rd Greek-UAE Joint Interministerial Committee concludes its proceedings (Athens, 3-4 May 2017)

The proceedings of the 3rd Greek-United Arab Emirates Joint Interministerial Committee (JIC) – which met in Athens, on 3 and 4 May – were concluded today with the signing of seven agreements and memorandums of cooperation.

In a very warm atmosphere, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and UAE Minister of State Dr. Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Jaber, co-chairs of the JIC, reaffirmed and deepened the two countries' close political and economic relations.

More than fifty representatives of Ministries, Organizations and sectoral agencies participated for the Greek side, with 70 representatives of corresponding Ministries and agencies in attendance from the UAE.

Within the framework of the JIC, Mr. Katrougalos stressed that there are major prospects for the development of cooperation between Greece and the UAE in sectors of mutual interest, including trade, investments, energy, tourism and shipping. Today's agreements and B2B meetings open up new roads for the two countries' cooperation.

Following the completion of the JIC proceedings, an official ceremony was held for the signing of the agreed minutes of the Meeting and bilateral agreements, as well as of memorandums of cooperation between agencies. More specifically, agreements on maritime transport, energy and road transport were signed. Additionally, memorandums of cooperation were signed by the Hellenic Federation of Industries (SEV), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and HELMEPA with corresponding UAE agencies and chambers.

The JIC proceedings were followed by a Business Conference with the participation of some 200 Greek and UAE enterprises. The Conference proceedings were opened by Greece's Energy and Environment Minister, George Stathakis, and UAE Minister of State Dr. Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Jaber.

The Secretary General for International Economic Relations, Giorgos Tsipras, stressed that Greek-UAE political relations are always at a very good level. Long-term cooperation and mutual trust, Mr. Tsipras highlighted, have been forged and proven through reciprocal support on sensitive issues. However, he noted, we must move ahead to further development of our bilateral economic relations on all levels. From this perspective, we welcome the signing of today's Cooperation Agreements in the sectors of energy, renewable energy sources and maritime transport, as well as the signing of the agreements between the business communities.

Remarks were also delivered, from the Greek side, by the President of the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Konstantinos Michalos, and Enterprise Greece's Deputy Director of Investment Support, Ilias Iliadis. The Conference proceedings concluded with bilateral business meetings.