Middle East Crisis Should Not Undermine India-Middle East Economic Corridor: Greek Foreign Minister

Greece firmly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a peace-driven initiative. However, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis acknowledged that its development has faced delays due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly the Israel-Gaza war.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Gerapetritis stressed that despite setbacks, the project’s core objectives of promoting peace and prosperity remain intact.

He highlighted that Greece is committed to working alongside India and other regional partners to ensure the success of this significant trade and development initiative, launched in September 2023 during the G-20 Summit.

Gerapetritis arrived in Delhi for Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He also mentioned his recent visits to Qatar, Israel, Ramallah, and Jordan, which will be key topics of discussion in the bilateral talks. He emphasized Greece’s efforts to double trade and investment ties with India and plans to open new consulates in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Greece also seeks to introduce direct flight services to improve connectivity.

Regarding the IMEC, Gerapetritis reaffirmed Greece’s pivotal role in facilitating the corridor’s links to Europe. He stated, “While the ongoing Middle East crisis has delayed the project’s planning, it must not undermine the powerful rationale behind the IMEC,” asserting that peace, stability, and economic cooperation should guide the project’s development.

The IMEC initiative, which envisions a trade route from Western India to Europe via the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel, has been delayed due to regional instability. Since its launch, stakeholders involved in the project, including India, the U.S., the EU, and several Middle Eastern countries, have yet to hold a follow-up meeting.

Gerapetritis also addressed Greece’s growing trade relations with India, emphasizing construction materials, food and beverages, and renewable energy sectors. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade by 2030, and the Greek government is optimistic about progress once the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and the European Union are finalized.

On migration, Gerapetritis acknowledged the issue of illegal immigration, with many Indian migrants attempting to reach Greece via sea. Greece and India are negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding on migration and mobility to create legal pathways for migration, aiming to address irregular migration more effectively.

Regarding the broader geopolitical landscape, Greece, as a current United Nations Security Council member, is focused on promoting peaceful dispute resolution and international law. Gerapetritis expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of reduced tensions in the Middle East, pointing to recent developments such as ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon and the opening of border crossings as hopeful signs of peace.

Finally, Gerapetritis reiterated Greece’s dedication to fostering greater connectivity with India, particularly by introducing direct flights. They welcomed Indian investments in Greek port infrastructure, particularly as part of the IMEC initiative.

Source: pagenews.gr