Prime Highlights :
- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis says Switzerland has invested about €4.5 billion in Greece, ranking among its top five foreign investors.
- Cassis points to environmental services, waste management, energy, and high-tech sectors as key areas for future cooperation.
Key Facts :
- Over 70 Swiss firms operate in Greece, supporting around 12,000 jobs.
- Switzerland has pledged up to €70 million to help Greece manage migration through 2029.
Background :
Switzerland has invested roughly €4.5 billion in Greece, making it one of the country’s top five foreign investors, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said during a visit to Athens.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Swiss House of Culture, Research, and Diplomacy, Cassis said more than 70 Swiss companies now operate in Greece, employing about 12,000 people. He named building materials, environmental services, waste management, energy, and high-tech fields such as biotechnology as sectors with the strongest potential for growth.
Cassis cited several examples, including Holcim’s plan for a €400 million carbon capture facility on Evia, and Axpo’s involvement in Greece’s renewable energy push. He also pointed to the Zurich-based tech firm D ONE, which opened a second office in Athens in 2021.
The visit also marked the launch of the Swiss-Hellenic Business Association, aimed at strengthening trade ties that already total about €3 billion annually.
Cassis also spoke about Switzerland’s support for cultural heritage in Greece. He mentioned a 2024 grant to Athens’ Numismatic Museum and pointed out that Swiss archaeologists have worked in Eretria since 1964.
On migration, Switzerland has committed up to €70 million through 2029 to help Greece support unaccompanied minors and improve asylum procedures.
Cassis also addressed Geneva-based peace talks on Ukraine, saying no agreement has been reached yet, though Switzerland remains ready to offer a neutral venue for dialogue.