"The images we have seen in recent days with the escalating tension between Israel and Iran are not a local or temporary dispute. It is a crisis of international dimensions, which threatens to turn into an open conflict with unpredictable consequences for both peace in the wider region and for the global economy," the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Giannis Chatzitheodosiou, pointed out in a statement on the conflict between Israel and Iran.
"First, it is the duty of all of us - and especially the international community - to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy. De-escalating the tension is an imperative, not only to protect human lives, which is the supreme good, but also to prevent a new, generalized destabilization of the global economy. With each passing day as the conflict escalates, the risk of losing control increases," he added.
Energy markets are already reacting nervously. Oil and gas prices are on the rise, driving up costs for businesses and consumers. The Middle East region is a strategic hub for global energy supplies. Any disruption, and especially anything that could affect the operation of the Suez Canal - through which a large proportion of global trade and energy passes - could have serious consequences for global supply chains and trade flows.
Greece, as a country that is highly dependent on energy imports and relies heavily on tourism, is in a vulnerable position. The increase in energy costs directly affects small and medium-sized enterprises, which are still trying to get back on their feet after the crises of previous years. At the same time, a more general instability in the Eastern Mediterranean may negatively affect the tourist image of our country - either due to concerns of visitors, or due to problems in international transport.
"Immediate mobilization is needed. On the one hand, political pressure for a peaceful settlement of the crisis. On the other, internal measures to support businesses, strengthening energy autonomy and special programs for tourism," he noted.