Economic diplomacy and investments dominated the contacts of Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos on his first day of his visit to Doha, the second stop of his tour in the Gulf countries. Contacts that, according to diplomatic sources, have highlighted Qatar’s interest in strengthening its presence in Greece at a time when the country emerges from the crisis and presents significant investment opportunities.
In particular, during his meeting with the Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Katrougalos referred to the advantages of our country as a natural bridge between the East and the West, highlighting in particular the developed infrastructure and its traditional friendly relations with the Arab people. The role of Greece, he added, is even more important as global interconnectivity is increasing. He also invited the minister to visit Greece in order to be informed about specific potential investment projects, in view of the promotion of privatisations that will benefit the competitiveness of the Greek economy.
On his part, Saif Al Sulaiti expressed the country’s interest in investing in Greece and welcomed the invitation to visit Greece, on a date to be agreed in the near future. Particular reference was made to the ever-increasing tourist visits of his compatriots to Greece, which, he said, contributed to the increase of Qatar Airways’ daily flights to Greece.
According to the same sources, he met with the executive vice president of Qatar Airways, who referred to the commercial direct flights between Doha and Greek destinations (Athens, Mykonos, Thessaloniki). These flights contribute to the promotion of tourism and trade, he said. Furthermore, the importance of Athens as a commercial and passenger junction between Qatar and Western destinations in the EU and the USA was underlined.