Today, in the Hellenic Parliament, a meeting of Chairpersons of the Committees on Production, Trade and Maritime Affairs of the EU member states was held, in which Mr Aleksandar Damjanović, Chairperson, and Mr Damir Šehović, member of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget of the Parliament of Montenegro, participated.

During the meeting, three sessions were held, in which more than forty parliamentarians of the EU member states took part. Within the session I titled “Blue Growth: Building the Blue Economy”, the keynote speakers were the following: Ms Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries; Ms Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism of the Hellenic Republic; and Ms Isabella Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO (European Sea Ports Organisation). It was estimated that this field generates about 5.4 million jobs with the potential growth to seven million, and that it was necessary to implement the “blue growth” agenda in that direction, in five key areas: “Blue Energy”, fisheries, tourism, underwater mineral resources and the “Blue Biotechnology”.

Session II titled: “EU Transport Policy: a vehicle for Growth and Jobs”, was held with the following keynote speakers: Mr Michalis Chrysochoidis, Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks of the Hellenic Republic; Mr Fotis Karamitsos, European Commission, Deputy Director-General, D.G. Mobility and Transport; and Mr Remigijus Žemaitaitis, Chairman of the Committee on Economics of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. The conclusion was reached that investing in TEN-T or the Trans-European Transport Network was key for stimulation of international trade and economic growth, both of the EU member states and the neighbouring countries.

Session II titled: “Facilitating access to financing” was focused on financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Keynote speakers were the following:  Mr Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister for Development and Competitiveness of the Hellenic Republic; Mr Mihai Tanasescu Vice President of the European Investment Bank; and Mr Guido Ravoet, Chief Executive of the European Banking Federation. They expressed a common view that there was a high potential for project financing, especially in the field of production, and that the banks were ready to create special funds for the purpose of easier access to financing, both for SMEs and large infrastructure projects, and industrial projects. In addition, they concluded that cooperation between commercial banks and the EIB was crucial for selection of key projects, with participation of the interested European institutions.

During the meeting, over twenty parliamentarians actively participated in the discussion, including the Montenegrin representatives.

The meeting was also attended by Ms Milena Kalezić-Obradović, First Secretary at the Montenegrin Embassy in Athens.