ATHENS – Kept from its usual ancient Greek site two years running because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Delphi Economic Forum kicked off on May 10, but in the Zappeo Hall in the Greek capital, this year also marking the 200th anniversary of indepencence from the Ottoman Occupation.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou will kick off the events for the six-day event that will also feature a keynote address by Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis and speech by former British Premier Tony Blair.  The presidents of Estonia and Slovakia, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, European Commission Vice President for Promoting Our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas and the president of the 'Greece 2021' Committee Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, will speak among others. 

The topics also include the Greek Revolution Bicentennial, geopolitics and international security; global economy; the future of Europe; sustainability and climate change; people, organizations and society; technology and the future of growth; and Greece's structural reforms and sustainable growth.

One of the main events, offered on the Apollon Stream, features a conversation between Mitsotakis and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, chaired by Politico Managing Director Florian Eder and introduced by Symeon G. Tsomokos, the DEF organizer, said Kathimerini.

There will also be forums on Greek leaders who shaped the country and climate change and natural disasters, as well as Greece's tensions with Turkey which is planning to hunt for energy off Greek islands.

The programme on Monday includes the joint participation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at 16:30, in a discussion with Politico journalist Florian Eder. Talks on Monday will be on shipping, the blue economy, health, history, culture, the pandemic, the bicentennial since the Greek Revolution of 1821, European Neighbourhood Policy, transatlantic relations and the European economy.

Other heads of state and government scheduled to speak during the six-day forum include Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, North Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik. Also due to speak are former Greek premier Alexis Tsipras, former Greek president Prokopios Pavlopoulos and former UK prime minister Tony Blair.

The European Commission will additionally be represented by Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager, Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans – European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy, Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture and Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel.

Other speakers include Marija Pejčinović Burić, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, former European Council president current European People's Party (EPP) President Donald Tusk and EU Commission envoy for freedom of religion and belief outside the EU, Christos Stylianides, European Stability Mechanism director Klaus Regling, the U.S. President's special envoy for climate change John Kerry and other senior officials.

The 10 main themes during the forum are the bicentennial since the Greek Revolution 1821-2021, Geopolitics and International Security, Global Economy, the Future of Europe, Sustainability and Climate Change, People, Organisations and Society, Technology and the Future of Growth, Greece: Structural Reforms and Sustainable Development, Health, Education.

The full programme can be viewed on the DEF website www.delphiforum.gr and the events can be viewed online without charge by registering at delphiforum.gr/register.