Senior diplomats from Greece and Israel have hailed the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative trade route capable of boosting economic growth and promoting long-term stability across a region often affected by conflict and geopolitical tensions.
Speaking Wednesday during the “Energy Transition Summit: East Med & Southeast Europe” in Athens, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel praised the strategic and economic potential of the ambitious corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe.
The summit was organized by the Financial Times in partnership with Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Papadopoulou described IMEC as a long-term guarantee for stability in the wider region, saying the project has the potential to reshape trade and regional integration from India to Europe.
“IMEC is the project that really encompasses regional integration,” she said. “It will change the whole region from India all the way to Europe.”
Haskel echoed the sentiments, saying Israel sees enormous opportunities in the corridor as countries increasingly seek alternative trade and transport routes amid global geopolitical uncertainty.
“I think it’s going to be huge,” Haskel said. “Everybody is researching alternative routes as well. Israel sees itself as a key partner in IMEC.”
The proposed corridor is expected to strengthen connectivity between Asia, the Middle East and Europe through rail, shipping and energy infrastructure, while reducing dependence on traditional trade chokepoints.
The two diplomats also highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Greece and Israel, particularly in energy, infrastructure, security and economic cooperation.
Haskel said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond politics, rooted in shared historical and cultural ties dating back thousands of years.
“I think there’s huge potential for continued collaboration, whether on security, economics, business-to-business, infrastructure or energy,” she said.
Papadopoulou noted that support for closer Greece-Israel ties cuts across Greece’s political spectrum, giving the partnership long-term stability and continuity.
“We can serve as a good example of close cooperation between two countries that share similar goals and objectives about stability, peace and prosperity in the entire region,” she said.
