The second day of the two-day Mediterranean policy conference in Athens convened prominent political figures, regional experts and international analysts to examine the fast-changing geopolitical landscape across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The event, co-hosted by a major Greek newspaper, a foreign-policy council and the Delphi Economic Forum, centered on security challenges, energy cooperation, diplomatic realignments and the economic shifts reshaping the region.
Held on December 5, the day opened with a welcome address followed by a major panel on the Eastern Mediterranean. Senior Greek officials, including the country’s foreign minister via video message, joined former foreign ministers, defense leaders and academics to assess escalating tensions and evolving alliances. Moderated by the director of one of Greece’s leading newspapers, the discussion explored regional instability, diplomatic pressures and the impact of global power competition.
A subsequent panel analyzed the economic landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean, with government advisers, banking leaders and former diplomats outlining how shifting trade routes, investment patterns and regulatory challenges are redefining the region’s financial environment. Speakers emphasized how economic resilience is increasingly linked to geopolitical stability.
The conference continued with a session dedicated to maritime trade routes—an issue of heightened urgency as global shipping disruptions ripple through the Mediterranean. Lawmakers, security analysts and academic experts examined the vulnerabilities affecting one of the world’s most important corridors for commercial transport.
Energy and infrastructure took center stage later in the afternoon, bringing together former energy ministers, European policymakers and regional analysts. Participants debated the political and strategic implications of new energy networks, cross-border cooperation and the competition shaping the region’s infrastructure future.
One of the day’s most anticipated discussions focused on the Middle East. A former prime minister of Israel and a former foreign minister of Egypt offered insights into prospects for stability following recent regional turbulence. Their dialogue highlighted the uncertainties and diplomatic challenges facing peace efforts.
The conference concluded with a conversation between Greece’s prime minister and the publisher of the organizing newspaper, marking the formal close of the event.
Full Schedule — Day 2 (December 5)
09:15 Arrival of guests
10:15 Welcome remarks – Symeon G. Tsomokos, Delphi Economic Forum
10:20 Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean
Speakers: George Gerapetritis (video message), Evangelos Venizelos, Loukas Tsoukalis, Evangelos Apostolakis, Anna Diamantopoulou, Ino Afentouli
Moderator: Periklis Dimitrolopoulos
11:30 The New Economic Landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean
Speakers: Dimitrios Politis, Gikas Hardouvelis, Ioannis–Alexios Zepos, Christos Chatziemmanouil
Moderator: Dinos Siomopoulos
12:20 Major Challenges for Mediterranean Maritime Trade Routes
Speakers: Angelos Syrigos, Kostis Frangoulis, Marilena Koppa
Moderator: Christos Dogas
13:00 Break
13:45 Energy and Infrastructure: Cooperation, Networks and Political Competition
Speakers: Athanasios Platias, Nikolaos Farantouris, Giorgos Lakkotrypis, Ariel Levite, Tasos Chatzivasileiou
Moderator: Christos Kolonas
14:45 The Day After in the Middle East
Speakers: Ehud Olmert, Sameh Shoukry
Moderator: Gregoire Roos
15:45 Break
16:15 Closing discussion – Greece’s Prime Minister in conversation with Giannis Pretenteris
17:00 End of conference proceedings
