Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias has met Israel's new ambassador to Greece, Pninat Yanay, in Athens to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in shipping, regional security, and trade.
The discussions focused on the proposed India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor, an ambitious transit network designed to connect Asian markets with European ports through the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Kikilias expressed satisfaction that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs was the first government ministry officially visited by Yanay after she assumed her duties as ambassador. He noted that bilateral relations between Greece and Israel were currently at a very high level, with strong momentum across security, economic affairs, tourism, and maritime affairs.
Greece holds a central role in international maritime commerce, controlling the largest merchant fleet in the world by deadweight tonnage. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, headquartered near the major port of Piraeus, oversees national shipping policies, port infrastructure, and island transport networks.
The India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor
During the meeting, Kikilias described the economic corridor project as a highly ambitious plan that could generate significant opportunities for Greek shipping and commercial ports. He stated that a successfully established corridor would enhance cargo transit across the region and unlock new economic prospects.
The Greek minister expressed hope that the planned trade route would pass through Israel and proceed through Greek ports before extending onward to the Atlantic coast.
Under the proposed design, the economic corridor aims to link India to Europe using a combination of maritime shipping lines and overland rail networks, passing through intermediate stops across the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. Greek involvement in the project is linked to the capacity of its domestic ports and the nation's standing as a leading maritime power.
The trade corridor initiative was conceived to establish a modern supply chain between Asia and Europe, offering an alternative to traditional maritime passages. The project relies on deep-water ports in the Mediterranean to receive goods arriving from regional transit hubs, placing major Greek ports in key strategic positions.
Combining maritime strength with technology
In her remarks, Yanay highlighted the complementary strengths of the two nations. She described Greece as a global power in commercial shipping and the emerging blue economy, while highlighting Israel's established ecosystem in technology and industrial innovation.
The Israeli ambassador explained that combining Greece's maritime expertise with Israel's technological capability could foster new forms of partnership in commercial enterprises and ocean-related industries. Yanay also praised the long-standing relationship between the two countries, noting that Israel valued Greece's political stance and historical cooperation.
The term blue economy refers to economic activities linked to oceans, seas, and coastal areas, including shipping, marine biotechnology, and coastal infrastructure management. Integrating maritime operations with digital technology has become a major focus for global shipping lines seeking to modernise fleet management and port logistics.
Security and tourism across the Mediterranean
Yanay made specific reference to strong tourism links between the two countries, pointing out that large numbers of Israeli citizens travel to Greece each year. She noted that these interpersonal connections provide a foundation for broader business partnerships and social contacts between the two nations.
Beyond commercial ties, Greece and Israel have expanded their coordination on regional security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Athens and Tel Aviv are seeking to reinforce their partnership amid increasing competition across the region, where trade channels, port infrastructure, and maritime defense hold growing geopolitical importance.
The Eastern Mediterranean has developed into a strategic focal point for energy transport, commercial shipping routes, and security coordination among Mediterranean nations. Both Greece and Israel maintain close diplomatic ties and engage in regular defense and economic exchanges across the region.
