Bethlehem Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati received the Greek Consul General in Jerusalem, Mr. Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, on an official visit aimed at discussing the city’s tourism and economic situation and ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides.
The two sides discussed the profound impact of the political situation and the war on the tourism sector, which is the backbone of Bethlehem’s economy. The Mayor noted that, despite the challenges, the city remains the most important tourist destination in Palestine and needs effective support from international institutions and partners.
The Greek Consul emphasized that his country seeks to strengthen twinning between Palestinian and Greek cities, noting that despite the difficult economic conditions, there is a genuine desire to provide support, especially for projects that create job opportunities and help residents remain in their land rather than emigrate.
The meeting also addressed the state of schools in Bethlehem and the growing needs of the education sector, in addition to the importance of preserving and promoting religious sites, which constitute an essential part of the city’s identity and history. Both sides praised the efforts to strengthen relations between the Palestinian and Greek peoples, stressing that this visit is a positive step towards concrete support projects that contribute to revitalizing tourism and strengthening the resilience of the local community in Bethlehem.