ΜARE MED III ATHENS CONFERENCE 2026, MAY 12

Ministers, investors and international business leaders convene in Athens to shape the future of the Eastern Mediterranean and IMEC

Athens became the meeting point of a new strategic vision for the Eastern Mediterranean as senior ministers, government officials, diplomats, investors and international business leaders from Greece, Israel and Cyprus gathered at the MARE MED III Athens Conference 2026, held on Tuesday, May 12 at the Brown Acropol Hotel.

At a time of major geopolitical shifts across global trade, energy and transportation corridors, the conference highlighted the rapidly growing strategic alignment between Greece and Israel and the increasingly important role they are set to play in the Eastern Mediterranean as a geopolitical, energy and connectivity hub linking Europe, the Middle East and India through the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Organized in cooperation with Enterprise Greece, the conference brought together political leadership, institutional stakeholders, multinational companies, shipping executives, technology leaders, infrastructure groups and investors for a series of high-level discussions, strategic presentations and B2B meetings focused on strengthening bilateral business cooperation and regional connectivity.

The presence of Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias, Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness Harry Theoharis and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel gave significant weight to the conference, underscoring the strengthening strategic partnership between Greece and Israel, as well as the growing importance of fostering a dynamic Greek–Israeli B2B business and investment network.

Vassilis Kikilias highlighted the strategic importance of shipping and infrastructure, stating:

“Power lies at sea. Shipping, energy and infrastructure are critical pillars for the global economy and for Europe’s future.”

He also emphasized the importance of balancing green transition goals with economic sustainability, noting:

“Environmental policies must protect people, society and the real economy.”

Olga Kefalogianni focused on the strong human and economic ties between Greece and Israel, stating:

“The relationship between Greece and Israel is not only strategic. It is personal, human, and reflected every day in our societies and economies.”

She further stressed Greece’s international tourism vision, adding:

“We want Greece to become a global reference point for quality, authenticity, hospitality and sustainable tourism development.”

Sharren Haskel emphasized the geopolitical importance of regional interconnectivity and strategic infrastructure projects, stating:

“The Great Sea Interconnector is a bridge of security and resilience for the entire region.”

She also noted that:

“A connected region is a resilient region. Every new energy connection strengthens stability, cooperation and our shared prosperity.”

Harry Theoharis stated:

“In challenging times, the Eastern Mediterranean remains a region of stability and opportunity.”

He also described Greece–Israel cooperation as “a relationship of choice and commitment” and stressed that bilateral relations have evolved “from declarations to structural reality with measurable results.”

Senior representatives from key Israeli strategic organizations and industries also participated in the conference, including Israel Ports Company, Israel Shipyards and Israel Aerospace Industries, further reinforcing the conference’s focus on maritime infrastructure, logistics, defence, innovation and regional connectivity.

As Greece strengthens its position as a European gateway through maritime infrastructure, logistics and ports, and Israel expands its role as a regional hub for technology, energy and innovation, the strategic partnership between the two countries is increasingly evolving into a broader framework of economic and geopolitical cooperation.

Discussions throughout the conference focused on:

• transportation and regional supply chains
• ports and maritime infrastructure
• energy cooperation and resilience
• security and defence innovation
• cyber technologies
• agricultural innovation
• tourism and cross-border investment opportunities

Opening remarks were also delivered by His Excellency Ambassador of Israeli to the Hellenic Republic, Noam Katz, General Secretary for Economic Affairs, Chairman of Enterprise Greece, Dimitris Skalkos, President of ACCI, Ioannis Bratakos and Former President of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus, MP Averof Neofytou.

The conference featured two flagship panel discussions:

IMEC – A Paradigm Shift for the Region

The discussion focused on the strategic transformation driven by IMEC and the role of the Eastern Mediterranean as a critical corridor connecting India, the Middle East and Europe, with emphasis on infrastructure, logistics, energy routes, investment flows and geopolitical stability.

Greece, Cyprus, Israel – New Regional Opportunities

The panel explored emerging trilateral opportunities in energy, tourism, innovation, defence technologies, cybersecurity, maritime security and cross-border investments, highlighting the growing strategic convergence between the three countries as pillars of stability and growth in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A significant number of high-level B2B meetings took place within the framework of the conference, further strengthening Mare MED’s role as a platform for strategic business cooperation and regional economic diplomacy.

As geopolitical and economic cooperation across the Eastern Mediterranean continues to accelerate, MARE MED III Athens Conference 2026 further strengthened the institutional, diplomatic and business relationships shaping a new framework of regional connectivity, economic resilience and long-term strategic cooperation between Greece, Israel, Cyprus and their regional partners.