Greece as a Bridge to the Most Vibrant Region of the Next Decades

Abstract

After the financial crisis, Greece experienced a severe loss in real per capita income and accumulated a public debt much higher than GDP. The article analyses the causes of this development, including policy failures of Greece and the EU. It develops a game-changing strategy, to restart growth not relying on tourism only. Greece should make use of its unique location between Europe, Asia and Africa to build a bridge connecting these regions with fascinating and productive complementarities. Given this new strategy, a regional leadership in decarburization, youth reform boards and the Greek diaspora as a manager of reforming and financing new activities, Europe should cut a substantial part of the debt. This would be in the interest of Greece, the EU and Europe’s neighbours.