Huge potential for growth in ties, says Greek envoy

There is enormous potential for growth in Greek-Saudi bilateral relations, Greek Ambassador Joannis Christofilis told Arab News in an exclusive interview.
The Greek ambassador, who was speaking on the eve of Greece’s National Day, celebrated on March 25, said that there is also still room for growth in the food, construction and building materials sectors despite the fact that joint ventures and Greek international companies continue to operate successfully in the Kingdom.
“Greek companies have a competitive edge in terms of their experience and technical know-how in the energy sector,” he said. “However, economic and commercial relations are in need of a more effective framework in order to progress.”
“The Saudi government strategy for trade liberalization and investment offers a broader scope for cooperation,” he said. “Greek businessmen have been investing in Saudi Arabia for years. Greece is a promising market for Saudi businesses and a potential gateway for their entry to EU markets.”
“The Joint Ministerial Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Greece and Saudi Arabia has, unfortunately, been neglected in previous years,” he said. “The activation of this committee, we believe, is an important tool for enhancing bilateral economic cooperation.”
The ambassador also spoke of the full civil rights enjoyed by the country’s diverse Muslim constituency.
“More than 120,000 Greek Muslim citizens enjoy full legal equality,” said Christofilis. “Muslims in Greece are of Turkish, Pomak (Bulgarian-speaking Muslims who are indigenous to southern Bulgaria, Northern Greece, Turkey, Albania, Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo) and Roma (an Indo-Aryan ethnic group) origin. Each of these groups speak their own dialects and have their own traditions and yet enjoy the same civil liberties.”
“In addition, Muslim communities have the option of implementing Islamic jurisprudence in family and inheritance matters, which is a unique case in Europe and which has earned us criticism from international and human rights organizations,” he said.