Greece is widely known as being the birthplace of democracy, literature, history and philosophy, among many others. However, it is not only the lure of history that brings foreign travelers to Greece. Greece is one of the most beautiful, hospitable and exciting destinations around the globe, as well as one of the safest and most affordable places to live. In Greece you are standing at crossroads of cultures, colors and civilizations.
Diplomatic relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia started from as early as 1926. The first Greek Embassy in the Kingdom was established in Jeddah in 1943, but in 1963 the Greek Embassy was moved to Riyadh, where it became operational in 1985.
The most important landmark in recent years was the official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias to Saudi Arabia in 2006, where he met with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Greece has a longstanding relationship with the Arab world. Saudi Arabia has for a very long time been one of the top markets for Greek products in the Middle East region, and food products have always been one of the top exports of Greece to the Kingdom.
The prospects for further strengthening the existing trade, investment and general economic ties between the two countries are particularly encouraging, as the Greek and Saudi governments are in the process of working jointly on a number of initiatives for enhancing contacts and cooperation between the two countries’ business communities. Greece is a promising market to Saudi businesses, as well as a gateway for their entry into the European markets.
Preparations for the 4th Inter-Ministerial Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia, to be held in Riyadh, are under way. Holding the Inter-Ministerial Committee is a sign from both sides of their mutual commitment to promoting bilateral economic cooperation and concluding still pending bilateral Agreements in the fields of tourism, investment, energy cooperation, to mention just a few.
Greece combines a stunning landscape; clean waters and beaches, Mediterranean hospitality as well as excellent climatic conditions for tourism throughout the year. For this reason approximately 18 million tourists annually prefer Greece as their holiday destination.
Greece is, in the present juncture, in the middle of a fairly difficult process of fiscal adjustment of key macroeconomic indicators by implementing painful but necessary structural reforms in key areas and at the same time to rationalize public finances.
A year ago many analysts anticipated that a Greek default and exit from the Euro area was almost inevitable. The risk of collapse has been averted and confidence is gradually being restored. Where we stand today bodes well for the future. It can be reasonably expected that real economic recovery will come fairly soon, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
Comparing the current situation with the one prevailing just a few months ago, it is clear that much has been changed for the better. We can now expect, with reasonable certainty, that the steps made so far are indeed leading Greece out of the crisis and onto a path of growth.
Greeks and Arabs have both age-long histories. Our cultures are very well equipped to point to everything we have and can build together in order to promote peace and collaboration.
Our monuments, our arts and our sciences, regardless of place and time of origin are a heritage to the world.
Celebrating the anniversary of the National day of Greece in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are looking forward to promoting and further expanding the close, friendly relations between the two countries.
Dr. Dimitrios Letsios
Ambassador of Greece to Saudi Arabia
