A dinner organised this week in Athens by the Hellenic-Australian Business Council (HABC), to mark Australia’s 2014 presidency of the G20 and Greece’s presidency of the EU, heard an unequivocal message from Tony Abbott and Antonis Samaras – that relations between Australia and Greece are as strong as ever, and that both countries will utilise their respective presidencies to help kick-start the global economy.
Whilst neither prime minister could attend in person – specially pre-recorded presentations from each leader were used instead – hundreds of dignitaries who gathered at the Acropolis Museum on Tuesday witnessed both leaders express their confidence in further extending bilateral cooperation.
In his address, Prime Minister Samaras highlighted the bonds of friendship between Australia and Greece, forged through shared sacrifice in war, and described Australia as having always been “a decent and a proper friend” to Greece.
The Greek PM said that he wished to underline the importance of trade relations between Greece and Australia, and that the EU and G20 presidencies brought with them similar challenges.
“In recent days, Australia has assumed the responsibility of the G20 – the 20 most advanced countries of the world – at a point when the whole world must begin the effort of restarting the world economy,” said Mr Samaras.
“Now at a time when the economic crisis has hurt Greece so much, but at the same time it has begun to be overcome, we Europeans are being called upon to take steps towards economic recovery.”
Mr Samaras underscored the “extremely important” role of business relations between the two countries, and the contribution of the HABC in the task of forging closer links and grasping the opportunities on offer for both countries.
“To this end, the important contribution of Greek Australians and the Hellenic-Australian Business Council, is something that unites us in forging extraordinary cooperation opportunities for the future. Opportunities for which, of course, the respective business communities of both countries will have the first say and ultimate responsibility.”
Greece’s Minister of Development and Competitiveness, Mr Kostis Hatzidakis – who gave the event’s keynote speech on Mr Samaras’ behalf – said that Australia’s economic and structural reform experience was a “tangible success story”, and had succeeded in transforming an economy that was in recession in the 1980s, into one of the world’s most open, competitive and outward-looking economies.
Minister Hatzidakis said that Greece was committed to following a similar path – laying the foundations for an open and investment-friendly environment – and that a mark of progress was the OECD’s recent ranking of Greece as the pre-eminent country for implementation of development-focused structural reforms.
In her opening remarks, Australia’s Ambassador to Greece Jenny Bloomfield referred to the close ties between the two countries and thanked those who had contributed to the establishment of the HABC. Before introducing the Australian Prime Minister’s video clip, Ambassador Bloomfield encouraged Greek businesses to further explore trade and investment opportunities in Australia. 

Tony Abbott’s video message articulated his strongest comments on the Australian Government’s relationship to Greece since becoming PM.
Mr Abbott said that as both countries began their respective global and EU presidencies, Greece and Australia had similar goals: “To build a stronger, private sector-led world economy, with more trade, more jobs, more growth and better infrastructure”.
The PM added that he welcomed the establishment of the HABC for encouraging bilateral trade. “Greece has been the source of ideas that have changed the world. That’s why people everywhere still look to Greece with respect and affection,” he said.
Mr Abbott’s message concluded by acknowledging “the challenges that Greece has faced in recent times.”
“But Greeks know their history,” said the PM. “And history demonstrates that there will be better times ahead”.
The HABC dinner was hosted by President of the Hellenic Australian Business Council Mr Michalis Bodouroglou and the HABC’s Board of Directors. Also present was
the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr Vaggelis Meimarakis who delivered a welcome address.
Over 300 participants attended the event, including Greece’s Minister of Tourism Ms Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Health, Mr Adonis Georgiadis, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation (MFA) – Mr Panagiotis Mihalos, as well as foreign ambassadors and Greek and Australian business leaders.