IMEC: Thessaloniki's potential role in India's emergence as a power in global trade

Several ambassadors and other officials discussed Thessaloniki’s potential as a hub connecting separate trade initiatives, such as the Indian-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC) and the Three Seas Initiative connecting the Black, Adriatic and Baltic seas.

The Ambassadors of the US, George Tsunis, the United Arab Emirates, Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, India, Rudrendra Tandon, Israel, Noam Katz, as well as the US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, were among those who took part in a roundtable organised in Thessaloniki Sunday by the Delphi Economic Forum, Kathimerini, the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), and HELEXPO, organisers of exhibition events, notably the Thessaloniki International Fair.

The Three Seas Initiative was set up to promote connectivity projects through cross-border infrastructure investments. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor aims to enhance trade flow resilience, including energy and data flows, amid challenges to geopolitical stability.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou explained Thessaloniki’s role as a potential hub and affirmed Greece’s strong support for initiatives such as Three Seas and their role in forging ties between peoples.

Greece, as a stable democracy in a stability-challenged region and as a country that talks to everyone else, can help coordinate the various initiatives.

Fisher noted countries do not have the luxury of missing chances for closer ties, adding that it is important for the EU to play a leading role in such initiatives.

Katz referred to challenges in Middle East stability, including the war his country is involved in, and said cooperations such as the two under discussion are absolutely necessary since they set common goals and promote creative solutions that could contribute to stability.

Al Dhaheri noted how seeking to resolve conflicts and differences can open up business opportunities. He said the UAE is working on cooperation agreements with every country in this roundtable.

Tsunis developed the US role in seeking and promoting regional cooperation, emphasising energy self-sufficiency infrastructure, economic development, and global security issues.

He noted that his country spends $900 billion annually on global security architecture.

Tandon noted India’s emergence as a power in global trade, with combined imports and exports of around $1 trillion. He also referred to longstanding ties with Greece and the importance of cooperation with Europe, especially in technology.

Angelina Eichhorst of the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic branch, spoke of the need to speed up the EU’s connectivity agenda. She said more funding through the EU budget is needed.

Eichhorst added that the EU is very serious about taking in new members.

Tom Ellis, editor-in-chief of Kathimerini English Edition, and Endy Zemenides, HALC’s Executive Director, moderated the discussion.

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