Greece agrees with Qatar to deepen trade, energy and defence ties

ATHENS – Greece said on Wednesday it had agreed with Qatar to bolster cooperation in areas  including trade, energy and defence, extending a deal first struck in 2024.

Prime Minister Kyriakos  Mitsotakis and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad  Al Thani discussed bilateral ties and investment opportunities in Greek infrastructure, energy and data centres, Mitsotakis’ office said.

“There are also other areas of cooperation we have been discussing lately such as defence cooperation,” Al Thani said after meeting Mitsotakis in Athens.

“Taking into consideration the events taking place around the world, I believe it is very important to strengthen these ties as well.”

The meeting came against a backdrop of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with both leaders expressing concern over its effects on global trade, energy flows and regional stability.

In their opening statements before the cameras, both leaders addressed the Iran-US war and the wider Middle East upheaval.

Mitsotakis expressed Greece’s support for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and stressed the importance of guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

He called for a durable diplomatic solution that ensures sustainable peace in the region, describing Greece as a force for stability and a reliable partner.

Greece has been seeking to attract investment from Qatar, a leading global gas supplier, since the two countries agreed in 2024 to strengthen ties.