Qatar’s Amir and Greece’s prime minister discuss deepening ties and regional tensions, with a focus on diplomacy, investment and safeguarding Hormuz shipping routes.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Athens on Wednesday, highlighting steady progress in bilateral ties and expressing a desire to expand cooperation, particularly in economic and investment sectors.
Sheikh Tamim held official talks with Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations and discussed key regional developments.
During the meeting, Mitsotakis voiced Greece’s support for Qatar following recent Iranian attacks, saying: “Greece has stood by all GCC countries, and in particular Qatar, in support of your country against the unprovoked attacks by Iran.”
He also stressed the importance of diplomacy, adding that both countries must work towards “a diplomatic solution that will ensure a sustainable peace” and guarantee “freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”.
The two leaders discussed developments across the Middle East, including Lebanon, emphasising the need to uphold ceasefires and reach lasting agreements to support regional stability.
For his part, Sheikh Tamim expressed appreciation for Greece’s stance on the US-Iran war and its impact on the region.
He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to de-escalation through dialogue, saying: “We all hope that this conflict will end very soon through negotiations, and of course, we’re following every step in this.”
The Amir also highlighted the strength of longstanding ties between the two countries and pointed to the success of Qatari investments in Greece, adding that Doha is looking to expand its investment footprint.
Talks covered a broad range of areas, including defence, trade, energy, investment, information technology, culture and education, as well as prospects for deeper military cooperation.
Both sides agreed to work towards a more comprehensive partnership spanning sectors such as connectivity, agri-food and infrastructure.
A memorandum of understanding on agriculture was signed between the relevant ministries of both countries, further strengthening institutional cooperation.
The leaders also discussed global economic challenges and the need to secure energy supply chains, stressing the importance of ensuring the safety of international shipping routes.
Investment opportunities in Greece were highlighted, particularly in infrastructure, data centres, energy and hospitality, as Athens seeks to attract further foreign investment.