PM Mitsotakis Applauds Greece Receiving Key EU Portfolio for Tourism and Transportation

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo source: PrimeMinisterGR

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed satisfaction over Greece being assigned the Sustainable Transportation and Tourism portfolio within the new European Commission.

On Tuesday, September 17, Brussels announced that Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Greece’s Commissioner, will serve as the new European Commissioner responsible for the two sectors, managing a budget of tens of billions of euros.

PM: Greece and tourism are synonymous

Mitsotakis enthusiastically welcomed the news, stating on social media that including “Tourism” in a portfolio title marks a significant achievement for Greece, which originally proposed the idea.

“Tourism deserves a rightful place in European policies,” the Greek PM said, noting that Greece, a pioneer in sustainable tourism, is synonymous with the industry.

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen congratulating Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the new EU commissioner for Sustainable Transportation and Tourism. Photo source: HOTREC

Greece’s strategic position

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of the portfolio for Greece’s strategic and geopolitical role as a key hub for commerce, energy, and connectivity. Greece, he said, serves as a gateway not only to the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe but also to the northeastern Mediterranean.

“This reflects the elevation of our nation’s importance in enhancing connectivity and transportation, particularly in the Balkans—an area still in need of infrastructure. These developments will also benefit Greece, granting it easier access to Central Europe, the Baltic, and the Black Sea,” Mitsotakis explained, outlining future expectations for transportation infrastructure.

Greece’s strategic role in transportation and energy

Moreover, Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s pivotal position at the crossroads of transportation and energy routes between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

He noted that the EU Commission’s Sustainable Transportation and Tourism portfolio, now overseen by Greece’s Commissioner, plays a crucial role in managing significant initiatives, including the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This EU funding tool, with a budget of 26 billion euros for the 2021-2027 period, is dedicated to major transportation projects that enhance connectivity across Europe.

Inclusion of commercial shipping in Greece’s EU portfolio

As a global leader in commercial shipping, Greece’s influence extends to the maritime sector within this new portfolio. Mitsotakis emphasized that “movement and interconnectivity cannot be imagined without sea transport”, underscoring the critical importance of shipping.

The Greek PM concluded by noting that Greece’s portfolio, now inclusive of the shipping sector, is vital for both the nation and the global shipping industry, reinforcing Greece’s status as a dominant force in maritime transport.