Α close-watched official visit to Greece by the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, took place this week, with the Gulf State ruler received by both Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and head of state President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The arrival in Athens marked the first official visit to the country by the Emir of Qatar, and raised eyebrows given pivotal role played by the country in Middle East developments as well as its perceived very close relations to Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
One of two bilateral agreements signed, in fact, refers to military cooperation.
However, the Greek side is keenly interested in attracting capital and investments from the wealthy Gulf State, with Mitsotakis repeatedly referring to the country’s growth and business prospects, especially in terms of energy-related projects.
As expected, the dire situation in the Middle East with the continued warfare in Gaza was discussed.
The Greek premier cited the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages by the Hamas extremists, while underlining his increasing concern over the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.
Several top Greek ministers also attended a wide-ranging inter-ministerial meeting with Cabinet members accompanying the Qatari leader.
Meeting between the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in Athens, on May 29, 2024
Afterwards, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was received by Sakellaropoulou at the Presidential Mansion in central Athens.
“Friendly relations between Greece and Qatar are based on mutual respect and a common adherence to the fundamental principles of international law, with this as a framework, our two countries are playing an important stabilizing role in the wider region,” she said in greeting the Qatari ruler.
