Charilaos Goritsas President of the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce

P.M. Communications: Could you explain for the benefit of the readers of The Telegraph the British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce's role in terms of disseminating information and acting as a point of contact for potential investors.

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: The Chamber was first created with the aim of generating business between Britain and Greece. Then, because it was the most recognised international chamber in Greece, it began to highlight what was going on in the Greek economy to the international markets. I think our main aim is to show to the citizens of the world the new developments in Greece and the investment opportunities. We want to expand our exports of goods and services, we want to attract investment and also identify profitable investments that we could make outside of Greece. Today, chambers of commerce don't play the role they did twenty years ago because there is so much information available through the Internet. However, there is so much information that it can often generate confusion. The Chambers are there to provide clarity and bring the right people together, allowing businessmen and politicians to explain their views and visions. We are doing this very well at the moment.

P.M. Communications: Greece's share of the 2007-2013 structural aid package will fall by at least 35 per cent from the current five year, €27bn allocation as future disbursements are directed toward central and east European member states. How important is it for Greece's economic future to boost trade and investment in southeast Europe?

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: These are two separate issues. To begin with, it is obvious that the EU's structural aid to Greece will diminish over time. Personally, I don't think this is a problem. I think it is more important that the most developed nations help other less-developed nations by transferring know-how and skills rather than just financial aid. This could take place in a variety of areas from politics, to administrative capacity to technology. In Greece, in particular, we have very high defence expenses. The European Community agenda should consider both Greek & Turkish interests by assisting and furthering relations between our two nations which in time could lead to reduced Defence expenditures and the relevant reallocation of resources on both sides. This reallocation should be used to advance the development of our countries.

The increase of trade is also a form of aid. We must increase our trade with all our partners.

P.M. Communications: Within a radius of 1000 km there is a market of 181 million people spread over a major part of Greece, Bulgaria, the Balkans, Turkey, Romania and southern Italy. How would you convince the readers of The Telegraph that Greece is the best partner for investment in the region?

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: The successful ventures that have been made here recently are proof enough of the compelling business reasons for investing in Greece. Significant outlays have been made in the tourism industry and the telecommunications industry where the Texas Pacific Group recently executed a $2.0 billion buyout of TIM Hellas, creating a third major company in the mobile sector in Greece. Direct investment or ventures in the stock market is already benefiting many investors. Certain sectors - like banking and insurance - already enjoy significant contributions from foreign investors. Our agricultural exports are recognised for their high quality but we do not produce enough. Maybe, there is potential for investment there.

Already, many companies have opened affiliates in Athens and Thessalonica and are using them as their base for operations in South Eastern Europe. These large and underdeveloped economies are now peaceful and will grow very quickly. Culturally and intellectually they are part of Europe. Bulgaria and Romania will be the first to join and eventually I am sure that all of the countries in this area will become part of Europe.

P.M. Communications: Politically, Greece has become a leader in the region, putting its weight behind it various neighbors' bids to join the European Union. What is your vision of the New Democracy's government's push to improve regional ties?

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: I think it is correct for Greece to push for all the countries in southeast Europe to join the European community. It is in our interest. Of course, I understand that at the same we have to deepen the community or otherwise there is the danger that the community could collapse. All countries must come together and reach a compromise of the future of Europe. We understand that the British want a loose union of nations and that many other countries in Europe, including Greece, would like to see a more close-knit union. Intelligent people must compromise.

I would like to see all European nations become part of the European Union. We share a common culture and history. Europe involves the Greek ideas of democracy, the Roman rule of law and administration, it involves German art, French philosophy and ideals of human rights and freedoms, the profundity of the Scandinavian analytical mind, and it involves the Slavic tradition of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy and the British way of economic ideas of competition and free market. These are all European and Western ideas and the foundations of our freedom. You can judge a country on how they treat their women, children and minorities and any country that respects these ideals has a right to have a say in the future of Europe.

Turkey should have the opportunity to enter the Union provided it can adapt, understand and respect the ideas that form the basis of our European identity. It will be a challenge because this union has risen from three or four thousand years of shared history but they must be given the chance.

P.M. Communications: The New Democracy government has pushed through reforms in various sectors of the economy. However, Greece dropped nine places to 46 in the overall ratings of The Global Competitiveness Report published last year. Is the pace of reform fast enough?

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: I think many Greeks feel that the country must reform and adapt to the globalisation of our world. Of course, it is difficult to change if you're used to a system and many people are resisting these reforms because they feel comfortable as they are. The New Democracy government is privatising large parts of the public sector, divesting its stocks in the banks as well as the insurance companies and industries owned by these banks. This is a huge step. Secondly, in the energy sector, they are trying very hard to privatise and are giving people chances to invest and compete with the ex-state company PPC. They have also decided that there will be no more jobs for life in the public sector and that it will be run according to the principles of the private sector. The New Democracy government has also proposed changes to the constitution to dictate how the markets should operate. In the next Parliament they want to convince all parties to agree that we should allow private universities to operate in Greece. The government is creating the framework. It is now up to the market and progressive businessmen to use this framework to the benefit of themselves and wider society. It is an exciting time!

P.M. Communications: Mr. Goritsas, I'd just like to give you the opportunity to send a final message to the 2 million readers of The Sunday Telegraph?

Mr. Charilaos Goritsas: We send our best wishes to the readers of The Sunday Telegraph. We also express our sadness about the terrorist events that took place in Britain. The British people are not alone and many people around the world empathise with them and wish them well.