DIGITAL

Aiming at creating a platform for dialogue and communication as well as exploring the long-term significance of establishing a safe, secure and prosperous region, this annual conference is organized by the Delphi Economic Forum in association with the Hellenic American Leadership Council.

Over the course of the online meeting, leaders and policy makers will discuss strategies and a call-to-action for strengthening ties between the USA, Southeast Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Government officials, eminent scholars, academic luminaries and business leaders will engage in extensive discussion and rigorous analysis with a view to generating recommendations for U.S. policy-making for Southeast Europe and East Med; fostering private-sector development and international co-operation as cornerstones for the revitalization of both regions; finally, facilitating technical and high-level dialogue and transferring knowledge across various policy and business areas.

DRAFT AGENDA as of December 11

15:20 WELCOME REMARKS

Symeon G. Tsomokos, Founder & President, Delphi Economic Forum

15:25 SESSION I

DEFUSING TENSIONS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN A tangible multilateral regional initiative to try to solve the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean is of utmost importance at this time. The discussion will focus on the ways to get out of the crisis, taking into regard the new strengthening of the relations between and the USA and the important role of the EU.

FIRE-SIDE CHAT:

, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic With Amb. Nicholas Burns, Prof., Practice of Diplomacy & Int’l Relations, Harvard Kennedy School, USA

Chair: Athanasios Ellis, Editor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition, Greece

Subject to change The hours are in Greek time (EET)  Confirmed Speaker Working Language: English The hours in EST are from 08.30am to 2.45pm

16:00 Comments: François Heisbourg, Senior Adviser for Europe, International Institute for Strategic Studies, IISS Dimitris Keridis, MP, Party; Professor of Int’l Relations, Panteion University, Greece

Chair: Alexia Tasouli, Diplomatic Correspondent, OPEN TV, Greece

16:20 SESSION II

GREECE: A PILLAR OF STABILITY IN A TROUBLED REGION An in depth discussion about how Greece can be a major force for stability in the East Mediterranean and the Balkans and also continue to be an important source of support for Cyprus.

Miltiades Varvitsiotis, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic George Katrougalos, Member, Hellenic Parliament; Minister for Foreign Affairs (2019), Greece H.E. Geoffrey Pyatt, United States Ambassador to Greece

Chair: Alexia Tasouli, Diplomatic Correspondent, OPEN TV, Greece

17.00 IN CONVERSATION|AIR POWER PROJECTION – A KEY TO STABILITY & PEACE IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Dennys S. Plessas, Vice President, Global Pursuits Initiatives, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics/International

Chair: Athanassios Platias, Prof. of Strategy, Dept. of Int’l & European Studies, Univ. of Piraeus, Greece

17:15 IN CONVERSATION

Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic; Director, Europe Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, USA

Chair: Angelos Athanasopoulos, Editor-in-Chief, Politics, To Vima, Greece

Subject to change The hours are in Greek time (EET)  Confirmed Speaker Working Language: English The hours in EST are from 08.30am to 2.45pm

17:30 SESSION III

US COMMITMENT TO THE WESTERN BALKANS MATTERS Discussing the integration with the West (EU and NATO) and the effort to not allow other actors to fill any vacuum of leadership, of vision in this important region.

Matthew Palmer, Dep. Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Europe & Eurasian Affairs, US Dept. of State Angelos Syrigos, MP, New Democracy party, Associate Professor of Int’l Law & Foreign Policy, Panteion University, Greece Daniel Vajdich, Nonresident Senior Fellow, President, Yorktown Solutions, Atlantic Council, USA

Chair: Angelos Athanasopoulos, Editor-in-Chief, Politics, To Vima, Greece

18:10 SESSION IV

ELECTION 2020: IMPLICATIONS FOR US FOREIGN POLICY Discussing the Presidential Election 2020, the next day for USA and the impact of the result to the whole world. What will change, what will remain the same, new challenges and old problems.

Gerard Araud, Former French Ambassador to U.S.; Senior Advisor, Albright Stonebridge Group, USA Tassos Chatzivasileiou, MP, Secretary General, Standing Committee of National Defense & Foreign Affairs, New Democracy party, PhD in Political Science and History, Greece Nicholas Logothetis, Co-Founder & Chairman, Concordia Summit, USA

Chair: Mike Manatos, President, Manatos & Manatos, USA

18:40 IN CONVERSATION

GREECE, CYPRUS, ISRAEL, US: THE GEOGRAPHY OF UNDERSTANDING Debating the ways to strengthen Greece’s ties to the US, Israel and other allies as the situation in Eastern Mediterranean remains tense. The critical contribution of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) to strengthening relations among Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US.

David Harris, Chief Executive Officer, American – Jewish Committee, USA

Chair: Alexis Papahelas, Executive Editor, Kathimerini Newspaper, Greece

Subject to change The hours are in Greek time (EET)  Confirmed Speaker Working Language: English The hours in EST are from 08.30am to 2.45pm

18:55 SESSION V

THE DEEPENING US-GREECE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP Greece has become a pivotal player at a time when the need to maintain stability and energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean has become more central to U.S foreign policy. A new wave of US investments materialize in Greece nowadays. Discussing the ways to further enhance the Greek - American relations.

Kostas Fragogiannis, Dep. Minister Foreign Affairs for Econ. Diplomacy & Openness, Hellenic Republic H.E. Alexandra Papadopoulou, Ambassador of Greece to the United States William Antholis, Director & CEO, Miller Center, University of Virginia, USA

Chair:  Katerina Sokou, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council, USA

19:30 SESSION VI

US-GREECE INVESTMENT TIES: MAGNITUDE AND SCOPE How can we boost a growing bilateral relationship and tighten cooperation in a range of areas including defense and security, energy, tourism and trade.

, Minister of Development & Investments, Hellenic Republic

Mario Kontomerkos, CEO, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, USA Peggy Antonakou, General Manager Southeast Europe, Google, Greece  Christian Hadjiminas, Chairman EFA GROUP, VP, Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association, Greece

Chair: Yanos Gramatidis, Honorary President, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Greece

20:15 IN CONVERSATION Alexis Charitsis, MP, Syriza party, Minister of Interior (2018-19), Shadow Minister for Development & Investments, Hellenic Republic

Chair: Yanos Gramatidis, Honorary President, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Greece

Subject to change The hours are in Greek time (EET)  Confirmed Speaker Working Language: English The hours in EST are from 08.30am to 2.45pm

20:30 SESSION VII

UNDERSTANDING TURKEY'S STRATEGY FROM A US AND GREEK STANDPOINT Views on the tensions that are rising in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean

Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator of Maryland Endy Zemenides, Executive Director, Hellenic-American Leadership Council, USA

Chair: Athanasios Ellis, Editor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition, Greece

20.45 IN CONVERSATION Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of National Defence, Hellenic Republic

Chair: Athanasios Ellis, Editor-in-Chief, Kathimerini English Edition, Greece

21.00 IN CONVERSATION Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator of New Jersey

Chair: Endy Zemenides, Executive Director, Hellenic-American Leadership Council, USA

21.10 IN CONVERSATION Dina Titus, U.S. Congresswoman Thanos Dokos, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Hellenic Republic

Chair: Endy Zemenides, Executive Director, Hellenic-American Leadership Council, USA

21:35 SESSION VIII

DIASPORA ORGANIZATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Analyzing the role and impact of Diaspora Organizations in International Relations in issues such as cooperation conflict and stability

Nick Larigakis, President & CEO, American Hellenic Institute, USA George G. Horiates, Supreme President, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, USA

Chair:  Symeon G. Tsomokos, Founder & President, Delphi Economic Forum

21:55 CLOSING REMARKS Symeon G. Tsomokos, Founder & President, Delphi Economic Forum

22:00 END OF THE FORUM

Subject to change The hours are in Greek time (EET)  Confirmed Speaker Working Language: English The hours in EST are from 08.30am to 2.45pm