We are leaving the recessionary programmes behind us, Tsipras says at 3rd Euro-Arab Summit
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“The vision on which this summit is based is becoming more and more accepted and significant, not only for our region but more widely throughout Europe,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in his speech at the opening of the 3rd Euro-Arab Summit, held in Athens.
“Three years ago, we discussed the need for a closer dialogue between Europe and the Arab countries to address regional challenges and strengthen economic cooperation. And, of course, we considered that Greece – as a European country with strong historical, economic and cultural ties to the Arab world – could play a crucial role in this endeavour,” Tsipras said.
“Three years ago, Greece had just begun to lay the foundations for its economic recovery and the recovery of its geopolitical role in the wider region. Today, we are certain that Greece is turning a page,” Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said.
“We are leaving the recessionary programmes behind us; we have achieved ever higher growth rates, and we are again becoming an attractive investment destination,” Tsipras said.
Referring to the fundamentals, he said that “growth is forecast at 2.1 pct in 2018 and 2.5 pct in 2019 – and these are the highest rates of the last decade, even before the crisis.”
He added that exports and investments are key drivers, with an increase of over 7 pct and 13 pct, respectively, in 2018, while he noted that the tourism sector is booming with 35 million visitors in 2018.
In addition to “extremely positive performance on the economy, social indicators have also outperformed,” Tsipras said, referring to the reduction of unemployment by 8.0 points, with the rate now moving at 19 pct compared to 27 pct.
He stressed that the extrovert sectors of the economy, such as tourism, construction and transport are among the main sources of employment growth, which accounts for 70 pct of full-time jobs.
Tsipras welcomed the business delegations from the Arab world, who recognise the important opportunities offered by Greece.
“Greece has been established as a strong economy, with highly skilled human resources and as an irreplaceable regional energy, commercial, shipping and transport hub,” he said.
In particular, he referred to important projects such as the TAP, IGB, Vertical Corridor, EastMed, upgrade of Revythoussa and the development of the Natural Gas Reconstruction Center in Alexandroupolis, rail links to Belgrade and the Black Sea, the Egnatia railway, the coastal connection between Thessaloniki and Izmir and the upgrading of the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki and soon Alexandroupolis and Kavala into major transit centers.
“Today’s summit is taking place at a critical momentum, at a significant moment for Greek-Arab and Euro-Arab relations, but also for Greece, which is coming out of a multi-annual crisis, but is emerging stronger and more optimistic,” Tsipras stressed.
“Greece has always been a crossroads of civilisations and a bridge between Europe and the Arab world,” Tsipras said, noting that Greece was currently upgrading its role as a European pillar of stability and security, as a hub of economic cooperation and cultural exchanges and a centre of diplomatic and scientific dialogue on the future of the region.”
Source: ANA-MPA