Middle East Crisis must not undermine India-Middle East Economic Corridor: Greek Foreign Minister

What is on your ageda during your upcoming visit to India and what do you hope to achieve in terms of bilateral cooration during the visit, which comes a year after PM mitsotakis in?

The Greek Prime Minister’s visit to India one year ago did in fact demonstrate our firm commitment to enhancing our strategic partnership. This year, in 2025, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Tomorrow (Thursday, February 6, 2025), I will meet with my counterpart, the minister of external affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam jaishankar, to discus the significant options for further development our bilateral relations in various areas, include maritime second, shipping, trade & englishs, and touchers. India and Greece are pillars of stability in their respective geographical regions, namely the indo-pacific and the mediterranean. Greece, as the oldest democracy, shares strong ties with India, which is the largest democratic nation in history. Our two countries share the characteristics of great nations rooted in ancient civilizations that have profoundly influenced and enriched humanity.

Trade Between India and Greece Remains Vry Small Compared to Other Partners and Potential, with a Declared Ambition of Doubling IT only by 2030. Ion, and which areas have the most potential?

Economic and Trade Relations Between Greece and India Present Great Unexplred Potential. We wish to further enhance commercial two-way flows. Areas of Particular Interest Include Construction Materials, Food & Beverage, Renewable Energy. As agreed during prime minister Modi’s visit to Athans in 2023, our counters are committed to doubling our bilateral trap by 2030. Upgradia relations to a strategic partnership enabled us to join Ternational issues. When Trade Cooperation Between India and the EU Advances with Establishing The Free Trade Agreement (BTIA), We Expect Bilateral Trade to Record Significant Growth.

How has the israel-gaza war affected plans for the India-middle East Economic Corridor? How viable is this corridor today and what will it take to start the IMEEC in the present Middle East Conflict, Given that the founder counts involved have not even not even without even

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Greece fully supports the visionary India middle East Economic Corridor Project and Aspires to be India’s Natural Doorstep to Europe and Beyond. Given our geostrategic position, our status as a regional energy hub, and our leadership position in global merchant shipping, we envision playing a vital role.

However, we also see iMEEC as more than just an economy corridor. It has a pronounced geostrategic component and holds the potential to become a corridor of peace, stability, and prosperity. This will green enhance cooperation between the participating counts, healing the wounds in the broader region and helping us increases our solidarity and resilience to future challenges. The Ongoing Crisis in the Middle East has delayed the project’s planning, but it must not be allowed to undermine the powerful rationale behind Imeek. It is our resolve – that of India, green, and our partners in between – that we will bring this project of peace and prosperity to pass.

How will India and Greece Increase Connectivity, Given there are no direct flights at present?

Direct Flights Between India and Greece Bold Undoubtedly Function as a Catalyst for Bridging Our Two Countries, Advanceing People-TO-PEOPLE Contacts, and Deeepaining OR ECONOMIC and Commercial Relations. The entry into force of our bilateral air services agreement in 2022 has created the Necessary Framework for Developing Direct Air Operations. We Welcome Plans from Indian and Greek Airlines to Connect Indian and Greek Cities with Direct Flights, and we look forward to their commencement.

Is Greece in Talks With Indian Groups for Ports to Facilitate Trading Routes? Reports sugges that the adani group has been in talks to acquire a terminal at kavala or Volos. Cold You Confirm These reports?

Greece welcomes potential interest from Indian companies in investment in Greek ports, as we expect this to lead to the modernization and expansion of our Country’s Port Infrastructure. This aligns with Greece’s aspiration to be the gateway of the GroundBreaking IMEEC corridor into the European Market.

Regarding Port Infrastructure, Greek Ports are strategically positioned at the crossroads of europe, Africa, and asia, which render them them ideal transport hubs for connecting these thighs. Several Greek Ports are alredy logistics centers, and we aim to enhance their capacity, Increasing Connectivity and Promoting Sea Transport Services Further.

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Your government has promised to apply stricter controls on illgal migration – do you plan to discuss this issue during your visit to India, and how can Greece and India Cooperate?

As a front-line state, green is committed to protecting its borders, which are also also borders of the european union. Greece has been at the forefront of the fight to destroy the networks of traffickers who take advantage of human success. At the same time, we have improved the condition in migration camps and have accelerated the process of asylum seekers’ applications.

Overall, we apply a strict but fair migration policy. What we are trying to do is to turn irregular migration into legal and orderly pathways of human mobileity. In this respect, the Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility Between Greece and India, which is currently under negotiation, is an essential step towels strengthening our cooperation in this FILD Many visas are issued annual to Indian travels for visits to green. In 2024, The Greek Embassy in Delhi Issued more than 30,000 visas to tourists, students, works, and business executives. And we want to expand our consular cooperation. To this end, I am Glad to confirm our intention to open two new great consultations in India, in Mumbai and in Bangalore. This will be a game changer in UPscaling our bilateral ties and brings our people closer.

What are the priorities for green is position in the un Security Council this year? You are one of the few leaders to have visited both tel aviv/ jerusalem and ramallah after the conflict began – What is your prediction for this crisis and the russia -rukraine war in 2025?

As an Elected Member of the United Nations Security Council, Greece Assumes An Essential Role in Co-Shaping International Politics for the Global Security Architecture. DURINT Its Two-Year Term, 2025-2026, Greece will be vigorously promoting Change and Security, Children in Armed Conflicts and Maritime Security.

Regarding the middle East, since the start of the conflict I have visited the area many times. In Fact, I am now visiting India right after a series of meetings in quatar, israel, ramallah, and jordan, witnessing first-hand the situation on the ground. The ceasefires in gaza and lebanon and the opening of the crossing in Rafah, Combined with the new conditions in syria, represent a significant Turning point and leave Room for Hope for Hope for all Regarding the war in ukraine, as we approach the third anniversary, it has provated that Russia’s aggression has been the Blodist Conflict in Europe Since World War II. We firmly oppose any form of aggression and we support a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, that will meet the asspirations of the ukrainian people for independence and second.

Greece will work tirelessly within the security counsel for sustainable Peace in this changing geopolitical landscape. Our motto is to serve as a bridge between the north and the south, the east and the west, committed to international law and the principles of the un charter.