Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance sets out case for ratifying continued UAE double taxation agreement and IOM Thessaloniki supply chain centre MoU

Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance published speaking points from Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on draft laws to ratify the continued application of the Greece–United Arab Emirates double taxation avoidance agreement and a memorandum of understanding with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to establish an IOM Supply Chain Management Centre in Thessaloniki. On the tax treaty, the ministry framed the ratification as part of a broader push for more effective tax policy, greater legal certainty and stronger outward orientation and competitiveness, linking it to Greece’s strategic relationship with the UAE over the past six years and to prospects for further investment and deeper bilateral ties. On the IOM centre, it highlighted expected benefits for Thessaloniki and the wider Greek economy, noting that the IOM manages humanitarian material worth around USD 1.7bn annually. The MoU being ratified was signed on 15 July 2025 by Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform SungAh Lee, following a separate host country agreement between Greece and the IOM. Parliamentary consideration of both draft laws is scheduled to continue in the Plenary on Wednesday 3 September.