PRESS CONFERENCE

“Shipping and Northern Greece: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects”

The Deputy Minister of the Interior, responsible for Macedonia and Thrace issues, Konstantinos P. Gkoulekas, referred to the interconnection of shipping with Northern Greece and the need to exploit the significant potential of Macedonia and Thrace in this sector, during the Press Conference given today, Monday, June 29, 2026, at the Administration Building, on the subject of the 7th Balkan Forum, entitled: “Shipping and Northern Greece: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects”, which will be held next Monday, July 6, 2026, in the “Museum” room of Building M2, at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.

The Deputy Minister of the Interior, responsible for Macedonia and Thrace issues, underlined that Greece is a global power in shipping, but noted that today there are very significant opportunities for connecting Northern Greece with shipping activity. He stated: “Unfortunately, very few businesses in Northern Greece are currently connected to the shipping sector. There is a real gap, which we want to fill. Our goal is for more businesses, more organizations and more young people from Macedonia and Thrace to learn about the possibilities offered by shipping and to connect with a sector that has a huge contribution to the national economy”, emphasized the Deputy Minister.

Representatives of organizations related to shipping from Greece and the Balkans will participate in the Forum, while the ports of Northern Greece – Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli, Kavala and Igoumenitsa – will also be represented. The aim is to highlight the potential of the region as a transit hub and to strengthen the presence of Northern Greece in a field of great developmental importance.

Keynote speakers at the 7th Balkan Forum will be the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vasilis Kikilias and, due to the direct connection of shipping with transport, the supply chain and infrastructure, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Christos Dimas. The event will also be attended by the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the Minister of Interior Theodoros Livanios will deliver a speech. Participants will include, among others, the Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria Georgi Peev, the President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping George Alexandratos, the CEOs of the ports of Northern Greece and the Balkans, academics, representatives of business entities and representatives of the shipping and shipping world, such as the President of Greek Exporters Association (SEVE) Simos Diamantidis, the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Council for Research and Innovation and Vice President of the Hellenic Shipyards Association (HSAS) Korkidis Vasilis, the Vice President of Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) Tornivoukas Konstantinos, etc.

Particular emphasis will also be placed on the positive results of the contacts developed within the framework of the Balkan tours. As Mr. Gioulekas pointed out, during these meetings there was interest from the Balkan states in cooperation in the field of ports and, by extension, transport and the supply chain.

The Deputy Minister of the Interior pointed out that the aim of the Ministry of the Interior is to encourage the business community of Northern Greece to turn more dynamically towards shipping, to create new synergies and to promote the potential of the region. Among other things, he stated that: “We want shipping to come closer to Northern Greece. To highlight the prospects that exist, to create new partnerships and to strengthen the role of Macedonia and Thrace as a bridge with the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. This will have a positive impact not only on our region, but also on the national economy as a whole.”