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 Greece and the USA and the important role of the EU.
FIRE-SIDE CHAT:
Nikos Dendias, 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, New Democracy 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.
Adonis Georgiadis, 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