Greek Ambassador Georgios Stilianopoulos writes to Việt Nam News to mark the National Day of Greece, March 25.

2021is a highly symbolic year for Greece that marks the 200th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1821 Revolution, the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, which led to the construction of the modern Greek State. It is a pleasure for me to share with the readers of Viet Nam News such a significant historical event.

Today Greece is a prestigious European country of peace and progress, endowed with a precious historical heritage.

Nowadays, it is particularly important that countries - even when geographically located far apart from each other - accomplish serious efforts towards establishing a network of bilateral relations. This is the case of Việt Nam and Greece: two nations that experience mutual appreciation, framed by sincerity, functionality and clarity. The driving force for co-operation, better communication and mutual understanding, is not the proximity, but the will to track down appropriate means and ways enabling to construct bridges, shape substantial and constructive relationships.

The island of Santorini, the precious gem of the Aegean Sea. Photo courtesy of the Embassy

Since the establishment of our diplomatic relations, 46 years ago, our countries have worked together within a functional and spotless atmosphere; we have achieved an important development in our bilateral co-operation, and signed a number of agreements and economic contracts.

Greece was one of the first to ratify the EU-Việt Nam Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), to support the early adoption of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and recently, to ratify the EU-Việt Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). We support the full implementation of both trade and investment agreements which open up new opportunities for EU and Vietnamese operators to export and invest.

Over the years, bilateral trade between Việt Nam and Greece has made encouraging progress. However, it does not reflect the true potential of both countries. Despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic, I believe that we could step up trade exchanges and develop potential areas such as:

•            Agri-food sector: due to its climate and geomorphology, Greece has high-quality primary production. The Greek land continues to endow us with products and raw materials of quality and nutritional value: the basis of the Mediterranean diet. The food industry respects tradition while investing in innovation, research and sustainable production methods.

•            Tourism, a sector in which Greece expects, post-pandemic, a rapid recovery. The implementation of emblematic investments, such as in the Athenian Riviera, and some privatisation projects in tourist areas create new opportunities for strategic partnerships and large-scale investments.

•            Shipping, infrastructure and transport services on ports and rail networks: the supply chain and cargo handling continue to provide fertile ground for new investment and business partnerships. Greece is a maritime nation since ancient times and owns today the world’s largest merchant fleet. Shipping is a major contributor to the national economy. 

•            Pharmaceutical industry: a sector investing in modern technology, research and development, production infrastructure, but also in human resources.

•            Energy: Greece has a high level of expertise and experience in the field of renewable and alternative sources, such as solar thermal systems and waste recycling.

•            Transit trade and the supply chain, thanks to its geographical location that allows Greece to connect the markets of Europe, the Middle East and the Black Sea. As the pandemic has highlighted the need for flexible regional supply chains, this advantage has recently gained value.

Acropolis of Athens, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece. Photo courtesy of the Embassy

Today, Greece is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, a country of unique beauty, which has something special to offer to every visitor with diversity in landscapes, experiences, activities, gastronomy, and more than 3,000-year-old culture. It is a place where wonderful experiences never end, where there is always more to explore, to discover, to see, to taste, to feel. Greece strongly aspires to welcome a greater number of Vietnamese citizens to “Come and Live their own Myth in Greece”, to be drawn to the country’s epic intellectual history. 

Finally, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Revolution of 1821, the Embassy has prepared a conference focused on the presentation of artworks painted by worldwide-known foreign and Greek painters of the 19th century inspired by the events which took place during the Independence War. Further, in the weeks to come there will be  posts on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GreeceinVietnam) in which we endeavour to arouse our visitors’ interest in our beautiful country. VNS