Cooperation agreement between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Marseille and Piraeus

A cooperation agreement was signed in Marseille between the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, establishing a framework for strategic collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vassilis Korkidis, and the Treasurer of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber, Frédéric Ronal, during a special event held on the sidelines of the first meeting of the ASCAME Executive Committee following last November’s elections and the assumption of the presidency by Josep Santacreu, President of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.

Key pillars of cooperation

The main pillars of the agreement include:

• the development and implementation of joint initiatives and actions
• the exchange of know-how, information and best practices
• the promotion of research, education and development programmes
• the exploration of further cooperation opportunities in related fields

At the signing ceremony, the President of the Piraeus Chamber underlined that the agreement highlights a commitment to substantive cooperation and contributes to the achievement of shared objectives between the two institutions. He emphasised that it reflects a common will to strengthen collaboration aimed at economic and sustainable development, technological progress, and the improvement of trade and economic relations between Marseille and Piraeus.

Referring to the role of the two Chambers, Josep Santacreu noted that Marseille and Piraeus are historic, strategically important ports and commercial hubs in the Mediterranean, with significant potential for joint development-oriented initiatives. Within the framework of ASCAME activities, he reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting the blue economy in the Mediterranean, highlighting that in recent years it has been actively involved in major projects advancing sustainability, innovation and economic growth in maritime and shipping sectors.

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Particular emphasis was placed by Frédéric Ronal on the “blue economy,” which is emerging as a strategic pillar for the future of both port cities. He stressed that the Mediterranean hosts unique biodiversity, intense maritime activity, and millions of coastal residents dependent on marine resources, reinforcing the importance of sustainable development policies.

In conclusion, Korkidis noted that the Marseille Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1599 and is the oldest in the world, and that it is, in fact, from the 16th century that the term “chambre de commerce” originated. As such, the cooperation agreement between the two Chambers carries historical, maritime, European and economic significance, and coincides with the upcoming official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Greece.

According to the announcement by the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the close cooperation between the Marseille and Piraeus Chambers aims to strengthen the role of private sector enterprises, which constitute a key driver of innovation, investment and job creation, thereby contributing decisively to the economic objectives of Mediterranean countries.