Armenia, Greece plan to boost economic ties – Dimitris Skalkos

A Greek senior foreign ministry official has called on Armenia and Greece to utilize the untapped bilateral economic potential.

Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Greek foreign ministry, Dimitris Skalkos, said that Armenia and Greece have “excellent” political relations but the bilateral economic ties are very limited, with virtually zero trade.

Skalkos, who is also the Chairman of Enterprise Greece, a corporation responsible for attracting foreign direct investments to Greece and promoting the export of Greek products and services abroad, speaking to Armenpress on the sidelines of the Yerevan Dialogue forum earlier in May, said that the two countries are considering ways to change that situation given the potential of cooperation.

“Yerevan and Athens have had excellent political relations for many years: Political relations built on strong cultural and historical ties. I am sure you are aware that we have a vibrant Armenian community in Greece. I have many friends here and I am very happy about it. However, when we discuss economic issues, we see that our bilateral economic relations are very limited. Actually, the bilateral trade volume is virtually zero, which is absolutely unacceptable from an economic perspective.  And we have started to think how to change the situation. Some time ago I had the opportunity to discuss these issues with the Armenian ambassador in Athens. And we are planning to have a joint ministerial committee between our countries, probably this autumn, to determine the concrete sectors for cooperation. I think that despite all the instability in global trade, the economic situation between our countries in particular is very promising,” he said.

He said the agenda of Yerevan Dialogue covered all issues of vital importance amid the current global uncertainties.

“It is necessary to look at all these issues from the perspectives of various governments, because now is the time to find real solutions to difficult questions,” the Greek official said.

Speaking about the situation in the South Caucasus, Skalkos said Athens welcomes the recent Armenian-Azeri agreement on the would-be peace treaty.

“I have to say that we commend the process and of course we want to see it realized. Especially during these turbulent times, it is extremely important to engage in a policy that would contribute to regional security. Since I’m more interested in business, I believe you can’t do business without stability, without having a secure environment and a predictable arena for business environment. Therefore, we are looking forward to the signing of the [Armenian-Azeri] peace agreement,” he said.

Skalkos said the world is now in an era of economic globalization and highlighted economic security.

“In the present times we must try to have a certain regional stability to engage in business. And when we speak about business we first and foremost speak about networks. We need infrastructures, data networks. I think there is huge untapped potential to see real progress in the South Caucasus region. And when we see that progress, I can assure you that countries with open economies, extrovert economies like the Greek economy, are already ready to launch economic initiatives to promote bilateral trade and investments. And this is what we are already planning to do,” Skalkos said about the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace project.