Interview with H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, exclusive statement to Nine O’Clock
In this interview with Her Excellency Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika,, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, we delve into her distinguished diplomatic career, Greece’s role on the international stage, and the current dynamics of Greek foreign policy. Her extensive experience across various diplomatic and defence policy roles offers valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities in international relations, as well as Greece’s evolving relationships with key partners.
Nine O’Clock: Your Excellency, Greece and Romania share a long history of diplomatic and cultural ties. What do you think are the key strengths of the relationship between our two countries, and where do you see the greatest potential for further growth?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: The bonds and affinities between Greeks and Romanians date back centuries and offer a solid foundation for strong bilateral ties, as well as for taking our cooperation further. The multitude of common threads linking Greeks and Romanians have woven an enduring fabric, which sets the stage for jointly leveraging significant opportunities at hand. As we mark 145 years of formally establishing bilateral diplomatic relations this year, it is pertinent to also look ahead and seize the momentum for enhancing our ties, as well as for improving our connectivity and the relevant infrastructure to mutual and regional benefit. The complexity of the challenges in a dynamically evolving international environment requires strong, dependable partnerships among likeminded neighbours.
It is difficult to sum up all factors fostering cooperation between our two countries. The religious and cultural affinities are strong. There is also a dynamic Greek business community contributing to the growth and prosperity of Romania through significant investments, which consistently place Greece among the top 10 foreign direct investors in your country. Bilateral trade is steadily growing and Romania’s full accession to the Schengen zone and the lifting of land border controls since the beginning of this year, will further facilitate trade and tourism. There is a multitude of sectors offering growth potential.
Moreover, Greece and Romania share similar approaches regarding many important issues, such as the Western Balkans and their European integration prospects, the importance of facilitating increased defense spending by EU member states, as well as jointly procuring high-end air defense systems, the importance of more effectively addressing migration challenges, including through common returns policy, the need to pay attention to social cohesion and the common agricultural policy of the EU, as well as the necessity to tackle energy market distortions that result in much higher electricity prices for our countries. These are some of the areas where enhancing coordination between our countries will contribute to achieving common goals and safeguarding common interests. Last but not least, the situation in Ukraine and the reconstruction efforts once the conflict is over, as well as the urgent need to enhance the overall European resilience and security, open up new avenues and prospects for deepening cooperation.
Nine O’Clock: Given the geopolitical changes happening in Eastern Europe, how do you think the EU’s role will evolve in the coming years, and what role do you see Greece playing in shaping this future?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war have dramatically affected the security architecture of Europe. The EU and its member states mobilized since the outset in an unprecedented way imposing a large array of sanctions on Russia, as well as providing hundreds of millions of Euros in financial aid to Ukraine, and military assistance with equipment, training and ammunition. However, it is a fact that throughout the years, even after the end of the cold war and up until now, European Allies relied heavily on the United States for ensuring the security and defense of Europe. The new US Administration’s clear message that they need to redirect focus to other priorities and other regions of the world, has been a wake-up call for the EU. There is an urgent need for the EU to assume greater responsibility for ensuring European security and defense.
Greece has been a steadfast proponent of this for decades now. Without minimizing the importance of the transatlantic bond, we have always maintained the equal importance of enabling a strategic autonomy for the EU, leveraging its economic and political weight for effectively addressing evolving threats and complex challenges. The US has pleaded for over a decade for a fairer burden sharing with NATO European Allies. It is high time that the EU steps up to the plate with a view to safeguarding the interests and the security of all its member states in a spirit of solidarity, unity of purpose and cohesion. Our shared democratic values and principles, including respect of international law, frame the way ahead.
Greece welcomes proposals for budgetary flexibility for all EU member states in order to facilitate the efforts for strengthening the European defense capabilities. It is important to remember that Greece has been for decades consistently meeting the NATO defense spending target of 2%, and last year allocated at least 3% of its GDP on defense, including for pursuing an ambitious modernization program of its military forces and capabilities. Admittedly, this consistent effort entailed significant sacrifices by the Greek people, who persevered through harsh austerity measures to improve the country’s economic indices and meet the budgetary criteria set previously by the EU. However, the challenges and threats we face could not be underestimated by our governments and this is something that other EU member states are coming to realise as the security environment evolves.
Greece is a dependable Ally and partner and has been systematically contributing to NATO and EU missions. Greek ports and facilities are key for enhancing the overall resilience and security of Europe, including of Moldova and Ukraine. We have also been deepening cooperation with a number of strategic non-European partners, including Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and India. As a democratic pillar of stability in the wider region, Greece has been developing into an energy and transport hub, with enormous potential. Whether it is contributing to the deterrence and defense of Europe or to the reconstruction of Ukraine, Greece is central to Europe’s efforts.
Nine O’Clock: Greece is known for its tourism industry, and Romania has great potential in this sector as well. What opportunities do you see for cooperation between our countries in promoting sustainable tourism and regional tourism routes?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Tourism is a key sector presenting a multitude of possibilities for increased cooperation between our countries. As I already mentioned, Romania’s and Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen zone since the beginning of this year and the lifting of land border controls will undoubtedly facilitate the tourism flows both ways. We really appreciate the fact that close to 1,4 million Romanians visited Greece last year and we hope that they will be returning and discovering new, wonderful places in continental and insular Greece, all year round, as my country has a lot to offer in stunning landscapes, amazing beaches, great food, a rich history, and a very good price-quality ratio. At the same time, the number of Greeks visiting Romania has been increasing at a fast pace. Romania is also very beautiful, has a wonderful nature and wildlife, a variety of scenic landscapes and a multitude of interesting places to visit, including several historical cities with impressive architecture and of course a great religious and cultural offering, including uniquely beautiful monasteries.
The proximity of our two countries facilitates travel, including city breaks and there are also great prospects for promoting joint packages for tourists to visit both our countries. Religious tourism is another field where there is ample room to cooperate. Moreover, we can exchange best practices and coordinate policies. The flight connections between our countries have been increasing in recent years, but the road and rail connectivity has little progress to date. There is a lot of untapped potential and improving the infrastructure connecting our countries will provide a significant boost for tourism as well. The willingness to collaborate exists, so we need to find the best way to implement new, mutually beneficial schemes of cooperation.
Nine O’Clock: The energy transition is a hot topic across Europe. Greece has made significant strides in renewable energy. How do you envision Greece’s role in supporting Romania’s energy transition, especially in fields like solar and wind power?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Greece has indeed significantly improved its energy mix in recent years, with renewable energy sources (RES) accounting for 60% of its electricity production and growing since last year. Moreover, Greek energy companies have proceeded to significant investments in the neighbouring countries and in particular in Romania, which has a great potential for becoming a net producer of energy in the coming years and thus contributing to the energy independence and resilience of Europe. In this respect, it is important to highlight that the Greek PPC Group has invested approximately 3 billion Euros in Romania in the last year and a half. Not only did PPC acquire Enel Romania for 1,3 billion Euros end of 2023, it has also proceeded to additional buyouts and investments in renewables, assembling a significant portfolio of solar parks and wind farms, contributing to the energy security of Romania. Moreover, there are other major Greek companies who have been investing here in renewables, hybrid projects and biogas such as METLEN Energy & Metals, HELLENiQ Renewables, AVAX and SUNEL.
Greek companies’ knowhow and expertise can contribute to Romania’s energy transition and modernization, as well as towards expanding grid connectivity and enhancing energy storage solutions. There are many opportunities for additional projects and joint ventures, helping achieve energy efficiency and independence for our region and for Europe as whole. At the same time, it is important to continue coordinating at the political level in order to effectively address the electricity market distortions that have been burdening our countries in Southeastern Europe with electricity prices much higher than in Western European countries, an initiative the Greek Prime Minister has spearheaded since last year when the problem first became acute. The reconstruction of Ukraine will put further pressure on our electricity grids, and it is important to move swiftly within the EU for identifying common solutions to share this burden and find an appropriate way ahead.
Nine O’Clock: Your Excellency, how do you see the role of Greek companies in the development of the Romanian economy? How do you see the future of economic collaboration between Greece and Romania, particularly in key sectors such as investment and trade?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: I am pleased to note that the Greek business presence in Romania is dynamic. There are more than 2.000 Greek companies currently active here, which have created approximately 20.000 jobs and produce a combined annual turnover of €5.8 billion. Thus, they substantially contribute to Romania’s economic growth. These companies are mainly involved in energy, trade, infrastructure, construction, real estate, food & beverages, cosmetics, banking, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, and technology. Greece has reached the top 5 foreign investor countries in Romania, up from 8th place in 2022. At the same time, we are pleased that FDI flow goes both ways, and Greece has also been welcoming Romanian investments, predominantly in digital services, online platforms, and electronics. There are important opportunities for further enhancing our overall economic cooperation in a wide spectrum of sectors, including to HORECA, natural cosmetics, infrastructure, real estate and the pharmaceutical industry. The digital transition, where Greece has marked significant progress, also offers opportunities for exchanging expertise and best practices.
The future is also bright for our bilateral trade, its volume exceeding 2.9 billion Euros in 2024. The main products exported from Greece to Romania are fruits (oranges, tangerines, bananas, peaches, strawberries), toys, plastics, copper cables, asphalt for public works, photovoltaic panels, aluminum, steel wire and fertilisers. Since our two economies are complementary rather than competitive, I firmly believe that this positive trend can continue in the future, as there is untapped potential.
It should be noted that Greece fully supports Romania’s efforts to join OECD. This will enhance the investors’ confidence to Romania and attract additional funds. Political stability and predictability are always conducive of growth and Romania has provided a favorable environment and incentives for businesses to invest.
Nine O’Clock: What initiatives or projects are being implemented to further strengthen cultural exchanges and foster greater understanding between the two nations in the coming years?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: The Romanian people are very fond of Greek music, and many seek to learn Greek dances and songs. The Union of Greeks in Romania, under the able guidance of its President and member of the Romanian Parliament, Professor Dragos Zisopol, offers such opportunities though classes and events the local communities organize across Romania. Tourism and educational exchange programs, such as Erasmus, further foster this interest, which is of course reciprocal for Greeks travelling or studying in Romania. There is also a dynamic Chair of Modern Greek studies at the University of Bucharest under the guidance of Professor Tudor Dinu, whose work and publications contribute to deepening the understanding of the Greek presence on Romanian territories especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Greece also supports the Lectorate of modern Greek at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, where students are offered Greek language lessons. Moreover, there are some exceptional translators of Greek literature in Romanian, who have made accessible all the major Greek poets and novelists to the Romanian public. I would like to seize this opportunity and acknowledge in particular the contribution in this respect of Mrs. Elena Lazar, whose tireless efforts through her publishing house Omonoia have contributed enormously to this end. Byzantine music and theology studies are also an important bridge fostering bonds among our people, both clergy and laymen. As an Embassy, we try to highlight the importance of the cultural ties between our peoples. There are significant personalities among Romanians of Greek descent, such as Panait Istrati and the composer Iannis Xenakis, both of whom were born in Braila. We plan to host a number of events this year, in cooperation with Greek cultural associations, including an evening dedicated to the Philhellenes and one on the traces left by Greek merchants in Romanian territories through the past centuries. This year also marks 100 years since the birth of the two most popular modern day Greek composers, Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis. They were both prolific and their music and songs are well known not just in Greece, but worldwide. We plan to commemorate this centenary with at least one concert under the aegis of the Embassy, at the emblematic Atheneul Roman. Last but not least, we also plan a joint exhibition marking the 145 years of official diplomatic relations between our two countries, in cooperation with the Diplomatic Archives of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nine O’Clock: You have had the opportunity to work both in diplomatic posts and in coordination roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What are the main differences between diplomatic fieldwork and the work within the ministry?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatikaa: While the drafting of policy proposals is a common denominator in both the capital headquarters and the missions abroad, there are indeed some different challenges and opportunities a diplomat has when posted in a foreign country. The most prominent among these are the social interactions when serving abroad, as well as the role of public diplomacy. Being active in promoting the country you represent to the authorities and the people of the host country is an important part of our work. It is also complemented by reaching out and cultivating contacts and exchanges, promoting a better understanding and a deepening of cooperation between the two countries. I am particularly fortunate to have been posted to Romania as an Ambassador, as it is a partner in the EU, an Ally at NATO and a country with which Greece and the Greek people share so mane affinities. This makes my job more interesting and enjoyable at the same time.
Nine O’Clock: The Three Seas Initiative and other regional partnerships are important for Southeast Europe. How do you envision Greece’s role in strengthening these partnerships, particularly in areas like infrastructure and energy security?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Greece became a member of Three Seas Initiative at the Bucharest Summit of 2023. We are grateful for the support of Romania in this respect. We consider this framework an additional opportunity for promoting connectivity among the countries of the wider region, creating corridors that connect not only the Baltic with the Black Sea, but also with the Aegean and the Adriatic, a Four and not just a Three Seas avenue for facilitating trade and energy flows among European partners and Allies. Greece’s participation significantly enhances the security and the resilience of these projects. Improving the connectivity among Greece, Bulgaria and Romania along a vertical corridor, bypassing the Straits, offers a dependable alternative route that can secure the logistics and supply needs of Europe, and provide the energy resilience we seek. Indeed, through its energy infrastructure and investments, Greece is already an important entry point for LNG from Partners and Allies, supporting the energy needs of the region, including of Moldova and Ukraine. In this respect, Alexandroupolis with its new FSRU platform significantly contributes to the diversification of energy sources for Europe. Moreover, improving the road and rail infrastructure between our countries and connecting the ports of Greece, including Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis, with Varna in Bulgaria and Costanta in Romania, will significantly lower transport costs and duration, provide secure and dependable supply lines and boost trade volume. Additional projects under way, such as the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor), further accentuate the role and the strategic location of Greece.
Romanian Culture and Milestones
Nine O’Clock: What are your impressions of our country and traditions? Do you have favorite places that you like visiting during your free time?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Romania is a very beautiful country, with a rich history and a great cultural offering. I really enjoy walking around Bucharest, with its beautiful parks and architectural jewels brightening any grey urban spots. I also enjoy travelling and discovering the other wonderful places throughout the country. There is a lot I still need to discover, especially in Transylvania. I plan to tour there in spring and summer this year, as well as visiting more of the extraordinary monasteries in Moldova and Bukovina. I also look forward to returning to Sinaia and Brasov, Iasi and Costanta, Tulcea, Braila and Galatsi. The warmth of the Romanian people, their dances, the musical offerings and the art exhibitions make this country a fantastic place to live.
Nine O’Clock: What did you know about Romania before coming here as ambassador?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: I had visited Bucharest twice on short working visits and I knew of course a lot of its rich history, maybe not in detail, as my education had focused more on the milestones that were significant for Greeks and Greek history, such as the launching of the Greek Independence Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in 1821 in Iasi, and the important Greek diaspora flourishing until WWII especially in Costanta, Braila, Galatsi, Tulcea, Sulina, but also in Iasi and Bucharest. I was also appreciative of the geopolitical role of Romania, which has accrued with the conflict in Ukraine, of its rich natural resources and its importance for the region and for Europe as a whole. The religious affinities that our two peoples share, as well as many other common traits, have made it easy for me to feel at home here, embraced by the warmth of the wonderful Romanian people. Walking around Bucharest and its wonderful landmark buildings, as well as visiting the rest of Romania, I have come to appreciate better the phrase by the great Romanian historian Nikolae Iorga when he described Romania as a glorious “Byzance après Byzance”.
Nine O’Clock: What’s your favorite Romanian word or phrase so far?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: Multumesc! And also: Prietenia e bratara de aur , which is a beautiful Romanian saying describing friendship as a precious, golden bracelet.
Nine O’Clock: In October 2024, Nine O’Clock celebrated its 33rd anniversary with a special 120-page volume, Interviews, Messages, and Speeches of Ambassadors and CEOs –Top, Interviews, messages, speeches of ambassadors and CEOs – Happy 33rd anniversary, Nine O’Clock”. This edition includes over 30 interviews, including yours. What is your opinion on this initiative by the newspaper’s new management? Do you think such a publication is needed today?
H.E. Ms. Lili Evangelia Grammatika: The anniversary edition was an excellent initiative, and it was an honour for me to be included. I consider Nine O’Clock a valuable source of information in English on the most important diplomatic, political, and economic news of the day in Romania. It provides a useful overview, and it also highlights the activities of the diplomatic community, including its interactions with Romanian dignitaries and institutions. The layout is modern and accessible to the reader. I appreciate the electronic version for its versatility and user-friendliness, and the print versions for offering reading material at home and at the office. I encourage you to continue your efforts in this direction and to keep publishing Nine O’Clock.
Nine O’Clock: Thank you for these answers and for taking the time to participate to this interview!
By Andreea Drăgan, Editor Nine O’Clock
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