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Balkans & Black Sea Forum 2018
Leadership | Economics | Synergies
30 May - 1 June 2018 | Athens, Greece

OBOR initiative “China and the balance of European interests”

15 September 2017, 16:30-21:00
Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, TIF-Helexpo, Thessaloniki, Greece

A special session focusing on China’s One Belt-One Road initiative “China and the balance of European interests” is organized by the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum and TIF-Helexpo on September 15th 2017, 16:30-21:00 at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki-Greece.

The conference aims to further debate on the trading and developmental perspectives between China and Europe, and the significance of the various corridors linking Asia’s major economic power through the new Silk Road as well as the maritime road through the Mediterranean.

It will be held on the occasion of the 82nd Thessaloniki International Fair (9-17/9/2017), at which China standing as Honorary Country. Presentations will be in English. 

Agenda

16:30
Registrations

Participation by invitation and e-registration only

17:00
Welcome note
Mr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Organizing Committee Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum

17:10
Sessions introduction
Mrs. Siwarde J. SAP

Member Steering Committee Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum

17:15
One Belt-One Road, caliber for economic development in SEE
Mr. Stergios Pitsiorlas

Deputy Minister of Economy and Development, Greece

17:45
China’s pivot to SEE, contestation and cooperation in connectivity
Dr. Maaike Okano-Heijmans

Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael, Netherlands Institute of International Relations

18:15
The Black Sea economic corridor as a bridge between Europe and Asia
Ambassador Bratislav Dordevic

Executive Manager of the Permanent International Secretariat, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation

18:45
Discussion
19:15
Interconnectivity of destinations in the Balkans & Black Sea Region
Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF Helexpo

19:30
Announcing 2018 Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum Hosting City

Mr. Ioannis Moisiadis
Governor, Regional Unit of Serres
2017 Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum Hosting & Co-Organizing City

Mr. Yiannis Boutaris
Mayor, City of Thessaloniki
2018 Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum Hosting & Co-Organizing City

20:00
Networking Cocktail

Speakers

Mr. Stergios Pitsiorlas

Deputy Minister of Economy and Development, Greece

Born in Thessaloniki in 1955. He is a graduate of the faculty of Law of the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki. On March 2015 he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and resigned on November 2016 after assuming the position of Deputy Minister of Economy and Development. He worked as a lawyer between 1982 and 2004, while he worked as an expert consultant on the evaluation of the Integrated Mediterranean Programs (Eastern & Central Greece) between 1991-1993. Since 2010, he is working in the Renewable Energy Sources sector (Member of the Board of “Maurovouni Wind Farm S.A.” and Chairman of “Zaraka Koupia S.A.”). He was the Chairman of the construction company “Stroicentre Real Estate S.A.” between 2011 and 2014. He has been the Chairman of “Med Sea Health S.A.” and “Mare Village S.A.” since 2008 (design and implementation of tourism investment project in Kassandra, Chalkidiki).

Ambassador Bratislav Dordevic

Executive Manager PERMIS, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation

Executive Manager in the Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Istanbul, in charge of cooperation in the areas of Tourism, Culture, Education, Science and Technology (since 2011). Before joining the BSEC PERMIS, he held from 1977 to 2011, various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions of the former Yugoslavia and Serbia. He was Ambassador, Director-General for NATO and Defense Affairs, Head of the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention, Director of International Organizations Directorate. Served abroad in the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (two times) and in the Embassy to Belgium in Brussels. Member and leader of delegations of his country to numerous UN and other international organizations’ meetings and conferences. Holds master’s degree in International Law from Belgrade Law Faculty. Born in 1952.

Dr. Maaike Okano-Heijmans

SR. Research Fellow, Clingendael, Netherlands Institute International Relations

Senior research fellow at the Netherlands Institute for International Relations ‘Clingendael’ in The Hague and a visiting lecturer at the University of Leiden. She is also Clingendael’s scientific coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Research and Advice Network (#APRAN) for the European Commission and the European External Action Service. Her research about economic diplomacy & international relations in East Asia, and consular affairs and diplomacy. Maaike obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Antwerp, Belgium and holds Master degrees from the University of Amsterdam and Waseda University in Tokyo. Recent and forthcoming policy-oriented publications include ‘Economic Diplomacy in EU-China Relations: Why Europe Needs its own “OBOR”’; and ‘Pivoting to Central and Eastern Europe: Cooperation and contestation between Europe and China’. She contributed numerous research articles to international newspapers, journals and popular magazines, including to the Financial Times, the European Journal of East Asian Studies, the Hague Journal of Diplomacy and the Pacific Review.

Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis

Managing Director, TIF Helexpo

He is a graduate of the School of Economics of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a post-graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Macedonia. He has also authored a historical album titled ‘Magical Pictures’ on the history of Thessaloniki International Fair since its founding, the books “Fair Stories” and “How to participate at International Fairs”, one comic “Dethistas” and one educational game “CITY GAME – Thessaloniki”. Dr. Pozrikidis has also participated in dozens of studies. He has served as a member of the Board (1995 – 1998) and as President (1998 – 2000) of the European Tourism Trade Fairs Association. He is a member of the Board (2012 – today) of the International Fair Union (Union des Foires Internationals. He is the President of the Central European Fairs Alliance – CEFA and certified member of the International Association of Professional Exhibition Organisers (IAEM). He currently serves as Managing Director of TIF-HELEXPO, the Hellenic exhibition agency.

Mr. Giannis Balakakis

Chair Organizing Committee Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum

A forward thinking and results oriented strategist specializing in tourism, hospitality and the event management industries. He holds 35 years professional experience as Planning | Product | General Manager & Chief Executive Officer at local and International Corporations. He serves as Executive Advisor at Gnomon Events, President of the Board at Geo Routes Cultural Institute and Chair of the Organizing Committee at the Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum. Has studied Banking & Finance, he speaks English and French and is a regular key-note speaker at various international forums related with Culture - Tourism – Development and the event industries. He is elected member to the BoD of the Association of Chief Executive Officers Greece and former VP of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives Greece.

Mrs. Siwarde J. SAP

Member Steering Committee Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum

Siwarde has been involved in strategy and business development, combining the role of forward thinking analyst and positive catalyst with realistic target setting, for over 25 years. Since 2010 she holds the position of Senior Advisor Economic Policy Affairs at The Netherlands Embassy in Greece. Her focus lies on regional geopolitics, investment and trade policy affairs, financial services, energy, agribusiness, transport and logistics.
Sap holds a Master’s degree in Dutch Civil law, with a specialization in European law, from Leiden University and has fulfilled senior management positions at leading international companies. She is fluent in several languages including Greek. Siwarde is vice-chair of the Economic & Commercial Diplomats Club in Greece, member of Incubator Orange Grove, permanent member Steering Committee Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum.

Under The Auspices