The greatest challenge the world is facing today is the inequality between states – and within them – which is increasing poverty and depriving millions of people of a decent life, Alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos stressed, speaking at the 17th International Doha Forum, in Qatar (14-15 May). Bearing in mind the increase in global population and falling prices of oil and basic goods, it is obvious, Mr. Katrougalos added, that we need to adopt policies that bolster salaried employment and the social state, promote diversification of sources of income in the mid- and long term, reform public finances and increase sources of income from investments in infrastructure and a trained, specialized labour force. Within the framework of the 2017 Doha Forum, entitled "Development, Stability and the Refugee Crisis", Mr. Katrougalos had bilateral meetings with Qatari officials and with representatives of the major companies interested in investments in Greece and the promotion of bilateral economic relations. Specifically, Mr. Katrougalos met with his Qatari counterpart, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. al Muraikhi, with whom, in a very positive and constructive atmosphere, he agreed on the further promotion of bilateral economic relations and discussed the possibility of an exchange of visits on the highest political and state levels. During his meeting with the Qatari Education Minister, Mr. al Hammadi, there was a discussion of ways to further strengthen cultural and educational exchanges between Qatar and Greece, particularly in view of the convening of the first Greece-Qatar Joint Interministerial Committee. With Economy and Trade Minister Mohammed al Thani, Mr. Katrougalos exchanged views on the prospects unfolding for bilateral economic relations, with emphasis on specific sectors of the economy with potential for attracting investments from Qatar.Within the framework of promoting bilateral economic relations, the Alternate Foreign Minister met, at his request, with the CEO of Qatar Airways, Mr. al Baker. Mr. Katrougalos also had a courtesy meeting with the former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Jaber al Thani. Finally, during his stay in Doha, Mr. Katrougalos met with the CEO of the international television station Al Jazeera.
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