Greek Economy Soars: Strategic Ties with Singapore in Focus

Greece-Singapore Strategic Cooperation

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in Singapore attending the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, where he discussed Europe’s future with Bloomberg News Editor John Micklethwait and top Singaporean officials.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the two leaders explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors:

• Tourism: Attracting visitors and investment flows from Southeast Asia.
• Shipping: Collaboration on port infrastructure, logistics, and maritime trade.
• Defense and security: Exchange of expertise and strategic partnerships.
• Exports and agri-food products: Promoting Greek products in Southeast Asian markets.
• Technology and digital governance: Implementing AI and digital solutions in public administration.

Wong noted that Greece’s economy “continues to soar” under Mitsotakis’s leadership, adding that existing EU-Singapore free trade agreements create new investment and trade opportunities.

Greece as an Energy Hub and Security Provider

A central theme of the discussion was Greece’s dual role:

1. Energy hub: Serving as a transit point for natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe.
2. Provider of energy security: Supporting regional stability, highlighted by the recent agreement to supply the Ukraine with U.S. LNG during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Athens.

Mitsotakis emphasized the continuation and consolidation of reforms that have strengthened investor confidence and driven Greece’s economic recovery.

Shared Values and International Alignment

The meeting underscored Greece and Singapore’s shared positions:

• Upholding international law and the Law of the Sea.
• Supporting a rules-based multilateral system.
• Promoting free trade and economic cooperation.

Mitsotakis also highlighted the importance of deepening EU–Singapore relations, recognizing Singapore’s strategic role as an ASEAN member in the fast-growing Southeast Asian region.

Meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Greek Community

Mitsotakis was received by Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana government complex, exchanging views on matters of mutual interest.

He also met Metropolitan Konstantinos of Singapore and South Asia and representatives of the Greek community, reinforcing Greece’s cultural presence and bilateral engagement in the region.

Summit Dialogue

At the start of their meeting, the leaders discussed shared priorities:

• Mitsotakis: “We are both maritime nations, committed to a rules-based international order… We want investment flows from Singapore to continue and grow.”
• Wong: “Your economy continues to soar. We see many new opportunities in Greece and Europe through the EU–Singapore free trade agreement.”

The dialogue highlighted a common strategic vision for strengthening economic ties and recognizing Greece as a stable and strategic partner in the region.