Interview by
Alexandra Ktisti
Refugee crisis affects both the European Union as well as USA and Canada on the other side of Atlantic. What are your views on the cooperation among the countries of the West concerning the confrontation of the refugee crisis?
I think that the West has come together in a more cohesive way over the past years to confront the refugee crisis. There was some time when countries had a difficulty to coordinate - especially countries like Greece or Italy which are in the frontline, took the broad of it – so, what is needed is cooperation from all European partners in order to help facilitate the entry of all those people into European territory. I think it is a much better situation than it was, but obviously it’s very a difficult situation in general.
How do you see the relations between the EU and the US and what do you think about the role and the influence of US in the South – East Mediterranean region?
South – East Mediterranean region is a very important strategic partner for the United States. There are a number of military installations in places like Greece, such as Souda Bay in Crete and others, but I think as every new situation with new administration, people wait to see what will happen. Anyway, it is been noted that the current President of the United States does not have potentially very positive views of the European Union as a whole but we will have to see what his policies are dictating. Generally, United States and Europe are very close allies and I hope that this will continue.
Which issue is now the top priority of Concordia? Why did you select Greece for such a global event and why now?
I am Greek, so it has always been on my mind to do something in Greece. As the country has been through economic depression, we felt that in our small way, holding a Concordia event in Athens and bringing some of our global partners and leaders, including the former Vice-President of the United States Jo Biden, the CEO of Coca – Cola and others, could give some boost to the Greek sort of situation in our small way. We decided to do this in late 2016 and now it just seems like a great time. It is June in Greece, consequently it does not get any better than this.
What is your opinion about the rise of the East powers?
I think that the world, as Thomas Friedman says, is very flat. People who live in the East -Japan, China, South Korea and many other places - have an equal role, right and opportunity to see an economic success and development. We need to do everything we can to promote understanding between the two cultures. Actually, our goal is one day to do an event in Asia and that is very important for us. So, I think and I hope that the rise of places like China, South Korea and others, can be mutually beneficial for both the East and the West.
By: N. Peter Kramer
