By Korina Georgiou

In Delphi the sun is strong and the imposing archaeological museum dominates the road to the European Cultural Centre. It is impossible not to admire this iconic architecture that houses the history of the famous Delphic sanctuary and the most famous oracle of the ancient Greek world.

The natural beauty on the way to the center of Delphi cannot help but steal your heart. It is the ideal setting for the holding of the iconic Delphi Economic Forum, which celebrates its 8th year this year.

With the National Anthem, which was sung by a children’s choir, as well as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, which is the anthem of the European Council, and in the presence of the elite of the global economy, international politics and innovation, the work of this international institution that has now become a point of reference.

The President of the Republic thanked the 950 distinguished personalities from Greece and Abroad and from 71 countries who honored the Forum with their presence, the “25 cooperating agencies from the European Union, the Arab world and the United States.

Energy, sustainability and climate change, geopolitics and international security, health and tourism are at the center of the discussions.

The Eastern Mediterranean and the EastMed gas pipeline were mainly discussed on the 3rd day of the Forum’s work, bringing back the debate on the importance of pipelines in a new order shaped by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Dore Gold, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and former ambassador of Israel to the United Nations spoke about the EastMed natural gas project, the geopolitical balances in the region and the bilateral relations between Greece and Israel.

Interview with Korina Georgiou in the context of the 8th Delphi Economic Forum:

Korina Georgiou: According to the UN Environment Programme, the Eastern Mediterranean basin is one of the world’s most valuable seas. How do you assess the importance of this project and how much does it contribute to energy diplomacy between Greece and Israel?

Dore Gold: There is no doubt that a program of this kind which has for so long offered strategic access to the Eastern Mediterranean contributes greatly to our own national security, to the national security of Greece, and – may I say – to the national security of several countries that are along this route (which the pipeline covers) and I think we have a common interest in seeing the Western allies work together and promote this idea, and I hope they will.

K.G.: Much has changed since the start of the East Med Natural Gas program. We have a new order after Russia’s war in Ukraine. So do you think that programs in the eastern Mediterranean have gained added value and urgency in light of the Russian invasion and the need for energy sufficiency and increased connectivity?

DG: Yes, I think few understood how important it was for Israel and its allies to complete this program. Going back to the middle of the last decade, we saw countries withdrawing from this program, and that was particularly unfortunate. I think now there is a good opportunity to put aside their differences and work on it (the program). You know, it’s important to remember that we’re talking about gas, and gas comes under “energy.” But we must not forget, for example, the Truman Doctrine, which was the cornerstone of the Western alliance. The Truman Doctrine started with the idea of ​​defending Greece and Turkey, and I think the EastMed gas pipeline program may eventually evolve into something like that. But it will require a lot of diplomatic processes and, if we support it, it will become a reality.

K.G. The East Med gas project was supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. You have a very close relationship with the prime minister, having previously served as an external adviser to Mr. Netanyahu on international affairs. How do you think his re-election, his return to office will affect the progress of the EastMed natural gas pipeline?

DG Politics is about perceptions, and I believe the program will be perceived through Prime Minister Netanyahu’s past policy choices, and these include the EastMed gas program.

K. G. What do you think is the future of natural gas pipelines in a reality where liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation projects are gaining momentum in the region? Are pipelines “at risk”?

DG This is a situation that could be controversial in some countries. I am often reminded that when Mr. Biden became President of the United States, he canceled not this pipeline, but the Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States. It seems that the conductors gave some people an uncomfortable feeling. But pipelines are critical, and if you watch the Sunday shows in the US, you’ll see quite a few people still think the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline is a huge mistake. I think we’re headed for a time where pipelines will be respected.

K. G. The Greek government has high hopes for gas exploration in the region South and Southwest of Crete, also Italian energy group Eni and US energy company Chevron said in early January that they had made a new gas discovery in an Egyptian offshore field in the Eastern Mediterranean . In addition, we saw a number of new gas discoveries in Israel and Cyprus. How do you think these new fields will affect the East Med gas program? Will they contribute to its revival?

DG There is no given, we have to see if all this will help and strengthen the support for the EastMed pipeline or if it will weaken it. I believe they will strengthen her. Yes, the program was put on ice some time ago but it could be taken off the ice and re-examined.

K. G. The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, in the last tripartite meeting a month ago with his counterparts from Cyprus and Israel, said that Athens extends an invitation to Ankara to participate in the Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Forum, as long as it complies with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Can Turkey play an active role in the Forum? Is there room for Turkey?

DG As I have said before, the participation of both Greece and Turkey was instrumental in triggering the Truman Doctrine in 1947. If a new position is to be sealed by the West, then it must work for both Greece and Turkey. I hope that the Turks will understand that they have a new opportunity. I think it is not easy for Turkey to join the Eastern Mediterranean Natural Gas Forum. I should share something with you. A few years ago, I was asked by the Prime Minister to travel to Istanbul and negotiate with the Turks on some issues that had driven us apart. One of these subjects was a terrorist organization, Hamas, which ordered the killing of Israelis and issued directives through its office in Istanbul to the West Bank. You can not do that. This is not in accordance with international law and international norms and I hope that this kind of behavior will not be repeated.

K.G. Do you foresee a new future in Turkey after the May 14 elections? Do you see anything different this time around, any change in attitude?

DG I think it is too early to say anything, but I think it is extremely important to build this kind of alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean. You cannot talk about alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean without something tangible, and in this case, the tangible element would be the participation of all countries.

K. G. US Senator and Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, recently called the Eastern Mediterranean a “region of great promise” and highlighted its prospects despite the challenges posed by the changing geopolitical landscape. I would like to discuss the role of the US in the Eastmed gas project. Do you think the war in Ukraine has shifted the US position on the natural gas pipeline?

DG I think at first the US was looking in different directions. First of all they notified Greece that they were not going to support the pipeline idea and that was very unfortunate. The natural gas pipeline is not related to the taxes paid by the EastMed Americans and this is crucial. As we head into the US elections and into a new era, we have an opportunity for the next administration, whether it is Democratic or Republican, to support the project. When we talk to American representatives about our interests in this part of the world, we should all remind them of the EastMed gas pipeline. You can’t talk about natural gas without having the infrastructure to allow you to pump the gas. If you build this infrastructure you have a good chance of consolidating the long-standing interests of the US.

K. G. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and as extreme weather events become more frequent and more damaging, current efforts to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels appear insufficient, as UN Secretary-General Mr Guterres has so emphasized times. Do you think the energy transition will reshape elements of international politics that have defined the world system since at least World War II?

DG You know, a few years ago, Israel’s previous government was exploring where it should go with natural gas, and then it decided to put the brakes on new permits for companies looking for natural gas in Israeli territorial waters. I think part of their inhibitions was that now is the time to focus on alternative energy sources, not necessarily natural gas permits. This created a huge controversy in Israel, and I think it would be helpful if we renewed our determination to build on the original idea of ​​natural gas. Especially now with the problems arising due to the war in Ukraine.

K.G. Do you agree with clean energy advocates who hope and often promise that in addition to fighting climate change, the energy transition will help make tensions over energy resources a thing of the past?

DG I don’t think it’s the key feature of what we should expect for the future. Moreover, there are many writers today, in Washington for example, who say let’s not rush about it
with the “fallacy” of the energy transition, as they call it. Let’s first strengthen the energy resources we already have. I would like to emphasize that Israel, Greece, Egypt and any other side that wishes to participate would be instrumental in making this a reality.