Μake us preferred on Google The inauguration of the new premises of Qatar’s Embassy on Friday in Palaio Psychiko marked a new chapter in relations between Athens and Doha, following a series of diplomatic contacts and with the prospect of establishing an annual Strategic Dialogue between the two countries. The Qatari side described the event as an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations, underlining the shared commitment of Athens and Doha to closer cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, and Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis. The guests were welcomed by Qatar’s Ambassador to Greece, Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri.
Also present at the diplomatic mission’s new premises, at 25s Martiou Street, 8, were senior representatives of the Greek Government and the Greek Parliament, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from Europe (Germany, Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg), Asia (South Korea, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia), Africa (Algeria, Tunisia and Sudan), and the Middle East (the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine), while Saudi Arabia was represented by its Deputy Ambassador.
Prominent figures from the business community were also in attendance, including Evangelos Marinakis.
Bilateral Cooperation
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri and continued with an address by Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, who spoke particularly warmly about his visit to Greece and the strong, longstanding ties between the two countries, placing emphasis on the further development of bilateral cooperation.
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
For his part, Kostis Hatzidakis highlighted the excellent relations and close friendship between Greece and Qatar, stressing that “we are now moving from declarations to the achievement of specific results.”
He made particular reference to the cooperation between Qatari authorities and investment funds and the Marinakis Group in the shipping sector, describing bilateral business partnerships as “an important vote of confidence in the Greek economy and, more broadly, in Greek entrepreneurship.”
At the same time, he highlighted the potential for further cooperation in energy, shipping, tourism, infrastructure, technology and agriculture, while also referring to Qatar’s constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
In his concluding remarks, he referred to the forthcoming 2027 Greece–Qatar Year of Culture, describing it as “another important opportunity to bring our peoples closer together.”
The initiative forms part of Qatar’s international “Years of Culture programme”, which began in 2012 and promotes exchanges between countries through art, cultural heritage, music, literature, education and sports.
For 2027, Doha has selected Greece and Egypt as its partner countries, with the aim of fostering cooperation among artists, creators and cultural organisations.
Behind the programme is Qatar Museums, an organisation chaired by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The first edition was held in collaboration with Japan, followed by partnerships with countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States. Activities take place both in Qatar and in the partner countries, with the participation of cultural organisations and creative institutions.
The inauguration was preceded, on Thursday, by political consultations in Athens between Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou.
The two officials led the delegations of Greece and Qatar, reviewing the course of bilateral relations and the possibilities for further strengthening them.
Qatar’s Ambassador to Greece, Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri, delivers welcoming remarks to guests at the inauguration ceremony.
According to the official briefing issued by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions concerned cooperation between the two states and ways of expanding it, continuing a series of contacts that had begun earlier in November.
This diplomatic activity also follows contacts that took place over the preceding months.
In June, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, focusing on bilateral relations and efforts to de-escalate tensions in the wider region.
The two officials also discussed Pakistan’s mediation initiatives between the United States and Iran, as well as the coordination of efforts to promote regional security.
Strategic Dialogue
The intention to establish an annual Strategic Dialogue was announced on 5 November, following the first Political Dialogue meeting, which took place the previous day.
Representing Qatar were Khalid bin Fahad Al-Khater, Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Fahad bin Mohammed Kafoud, Director of European Affairs. Greece was represented by Ioannis-Foivos Georgakakis, Director of the A6 Directorate for Arab Countries and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides agreed to promote the creation of an annual framework for dialogue, with the aim of fostering systematic cooperation and translating shared priorities into specific initiatives.
According to the joint communiqué, the planned Strategic Dialogue aspires to become a stable mechanism for engagement through which the two governments will be able to advance shared priorities and agreed-upon actions. Athens and Doha link the initiative to the pursuit of practical results and mutual benefit, while emphasising the role of diplomacy and dialogue in addressing regional and international issues.
Their cooperation also includes the development of contacts in areas of economic and social interest.
The agenda includes trade, investment, defence, security, technology and innovation, alongside public health, culture, sports and education. The joint announcement also emphasises peace, regional stability, freedom of navigation and maritime security, with explicit reference to International Law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The initiative is linked to the visit of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Athens in April 2026.
