Stefanos Nikolaidis
The recent announcement of Chevron For new data in hydrocarbons brings back the issue of strategy her Greece.
In this scene, the Vertical is not one indivisible ideabut the next chapter in a series of projects that have already shaped the country’s physiognomy on the energy map: by them IGB conductors and Tapthat constitute infrastructure her Greece with third countriesto the project of EastMedwhich, although remaining pending, demonstrated its value Eastern Mediterranean as alternative source.
The plan behind it? To make the Greece LNG entry gateway for the whole SE Europe and at the same time connect it with countries that are in state geopoliticalsuch as Moldova and the Ukraine.
Talking to skai.grthe former PASOK Energy Minister and current MEP, Giannis Maniatis, and Associate Professor of International Policy at the DUTH, Sotiris Serbosexplain why the Vertical constitutes at the same time geopolitical tool and financial opportunity for the Greecebut and what are the risks and the conditions for the success of.
The geopolitical dimension
THE Sotiris Serbos It leaves no room for misinterpretation. “Creating the vertical corridor is a tangible geopolitical upgrade for Greece, not just an ambition“
Already, as he recalls, the passageway worked the 2022 as survival mechanism for countries in the region. “Moldova and Bulgaria have met urgent needs thanks to Greek infrastructure LNG. This makes us an irreplaceable link at a time when Russian gas dependence had proven to be dangerous“
OR Russiahe notes, will not be left untouched. “The vertical corridor can be a target for sabotage, cyberattacks or misinformation. Moscow knows that every LNG box passing through Alexandroupolis reduces its energy leverage in Europe“
“Ankara has built the narrative of the “energy hub” with Turkstream and the straits“He recalls. But the Greek plan can rearrange Balances. “If the trade of the Eastern Balkan countries pass through Alexandroupolis and not by the Straits, this is a geopolitical change of first size“
At the same time US support it looks decisive. Even if there are changes in the WashingtonMr. Serbos estimates that ‘The willingness to promote American LNG through Greece immediately serves US interests and does not change with governments“
The economic and energy dimension
For him Giannis Maniatisthe energy narrative has one pure arithmetic: “Future selling Greek gas can bring up to 70 billion euros in a depth of 25 years“
In the equation, however income from fee and taxation. “Infrastructure, from Revithoussa to the FSRUs in Alexandroupolis, involve continuous flow of taxable revenue“
The greater perhaps avail is the proliferative effect to economy, as he points out. “From the construction phase to the operation, thousands of jobs are created for scientists, engineers and specialized craftsmen, while opening prospects for industries such as shipbuilding, cyber security and energy technology.“
Mr. Maniatis reminds us that this is not theoretical. “Only by TAP, 495 kilometers of tube were manufactured by the Greek Corinthian pipes. DESFA took over the maintenance of the 550km Greek section” In short, the chain It is already here and can be expanded.
Dangers and challenges
But the project is not invalidity. On the contrary, it is vulnerability both in geopolitical shock as well as in internal delays.
Mr. Maniatis warns: “If the project is delayed or suspended, the damage will be multiple – economic, geopolitical and strategy.‘
At the same wavelength, Mr Serbos, who adds that the safety of the corridor is not given, as “Continuous investment in cyber security and cooperation with the EU and NATO is required, because we are talking about a critical infrastructure that concerns not only Greece but the whole European security architecture‘
Her experience Europe with works such as Rail Baltica shows that the large energy and transport infrastructure need years, stability and political will to complete. The same applies to Vertical corridor.
The future: corridor or player?
To the question of whether the Greece will remain ‘passageway»Or will be highlighted playerthe responses of the two experts converge: all depends on ability her country to add value and utilize the its strategic advantages.
“The roles are claimed, they are not assigned. Greece’s power is derived not only from the pumping gas, but from controlling the entrance gate and distribution. This gives you diplomatic leverage and makes you a necessary partner‘He points out Sotiris Serbos.
On his part, the Giannis Maniatis sets two conditions: “Greece must evaluate international developments in time and show strong political will. Without consistency and determination, the best plans are at risk of staying on paper“
After the Chevronthe Lng and Vertical corridorthe Greece has the opportunity to leave behind the role of Simple of ‘crossing treadmill’ and evolve into energy node and geopolitical stabilizer.
The question is whether he dares to invest with seriousness; consistency and insightso to turn at the moment into historical milestone for the its national strategy.
Source: Skai
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
