Why the Qataris did a U-turn
The offhand manner in which certain government officials have handled the matter of securing a 10-million-euro investment agreement with two companies from Qatar for the western Greek port of Astakos should be of great concern to the prime minister. The obsession that some members of government have with their image and with continuously thrusting themselves into the limelight is what led to this fiasco and the withdrawal by the two Qatari companies from what would have been a golden opportunity for Greece. Of course, this kind of situation can only be expected when such delicate matters are left in the hands of groups whose interests are not necessarily in line with the national interest despite what they may claim. For Greece to begin attracting serious investment, it first has to get serious. The government needs to ensure that the country’s institutions are protected, that the state is seen as a reliable partner and that shady transactions through nefarious intermediaries finally become a thing of the past.
