The «ever-increasing geostrategic importance»Of Greece for the USA, but also the belief that the strong Greek-American relations will continue to be strengthened, said the US Ambassador to our country George Tsounis.
In the first briefing of the journalists at the embassy residence, which followed his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendia and the exchange of Verbal Communications regarding the ratification of the Protocol Amending the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA) by Greece, George Tsounis stressed that Greece is a reliable, important and responsible partner, a pillar of security and how the US looks forward to our country for the challenges facing the region. In particular, he referred to the importance of the two countries’ defense cooperation in the field of security and said that such actions lead to greater peace and stability in the region. He noted that the agreement stipulates that the facilities will be used by both US and Greek NATO forces, while adding that a very significant amount of money will be allocated for their upgrade.
Radiographing the current ones bilateral relations, expressed the belief that the United States has a deep relationship with Greece because there is a sense of trust and that Greece will act in a credible way to jointly address the challenges in the region. Crystallizing his message, he said that Greece is a pillar of stability, but it is much more. Furthermore, George Tsounis stated that President Biden knows Greece like no other President in the history of the USA, he confessed that in the 20 years of their acquaintance they discuss Greece, he appreciates the bilateral relationship and loves the Greeks.
“I do not believe that there was another time in the history of relations between the two countries that an American President is as informed about Greece and bilateral relations as the current one. “When he says that relations are at a high level, it is not an exaggeration,” he stressed.
Starting the briefing, George Tsounis referred to recent visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Washington. “The United States and Greece have had a very, very, very good week. “Bilateral relations have had a very good week,” he said, noting how rare a joint meeting of the two houses of the US Congress (House and Senate) is, and that the prime minister has been applauded eight times by standing senators in Congress.
Regarding the meeting that the prime minister had at the White House, he said that it was highly constructive. “These things are important, they are not just symbolic, they send a message,” he said, noting that Kyriakos Mitsotakis is the third prime minister during Joe Biden’s term at the Blair House. He also pointed out that it became clear during the meetings in the White House that despite the historical ties and the fact that it is an important supplier of energy, Greece was one of the first countries to impose sanctions on Russia, as a matter of principle.
President Biden thanked the Prime Minister, acknowledged the leadership he has shown, stressed that it was fair and ethical and that everyone needs to choose a side and decide what kind of world we should live in. The United States and Greece have clearly chosen which side they are on, they are choosing the side of democracy and that it was an absurd war, he added. In fact, the US ambassador spoke of a dangerous revisionism.
Referring to the ministerial meetings in Washington between Greece and the USA, he described them as productive and constructive. In particular, regarding the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, he spoke of mutual respect, even pointing out that they talked about a long-term relationship.
Greece and the Greek-American Diaspora have never been closer
Afterwards, the American ambassador stood out at the moment when the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis awarded 12 prominent expatriates in Washington for their contribution to the homeland. “It simply came to our notice then. The Prime Minister awarded the Order of the Phoenix with twelve prominent Greek-Americans. And I must tell you that I never felt that Greece and the Greek-American Diaspora were not closer than they are today. “There was ‘love in the room.’
Greece, energy hub
He made special reference to the importance of Greece as an energy hub, but also of energy security in the region. He acknowledged that it was not easy to break free from Russian gas, such as oil, and described the short-term, medium-term and long-term plan in which he considered Greece to be an integral part of the region. In particular, he announced that more floating liquefied natural gas storage and gasification units are proposed, which will allow the unloading of larger quantities of LNG in Greece and its shipment to the Balkans, through the interconnectors.
According to the American ambassador, the main impetus, in the medium and long term, will be given to the interconnectors, “which are sustainable”, through the electrical interconnection between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt. He stressed that the interconnectors are changing the data and once completed, Greece and the wider region will benefit, while also contributing to carbon dependence. “We will make some investments in the electricity network to strengthen it, but as soon as the electricity enters the network, it can be sent to the Balkans and finally to Moldova and Ukraine, which is very important,” he said. He explained that the interconnectors are practical, sustainable and feasible and noted that although in the beginning the energy source can be from LNG, then it is possible to switch to greener forms of energy. “This is consistent with US and Greek targets for carbon dioxide emissions and is helping with energy independence. It helps Greece as an energy supplier and contributes to the Greek economy, through transit fees “. In addition, he stressed that Greece is becoming an energy hub in the region, reducing electricity prices for Greek consumers, but also for the Balkans and leading to greater prosperity.
He also stressed that energy security is a fundamental issue.
<Alexandroupolis, an example of excellent cooperation between Greece and the USA
In this context, he highlighted the importance of Alexandroupolis, as a supply center, both in military and energy base, estimated that in the coming years a lot of money will be invested in Greece for green technology, while he also said that he has seen many projects with solar and wind energy as well as hydrogen. He said that Alexandroupolis is another example of the excellent Greek-American cooperation, for energy security and cooperation for security.
Asked if Turkish overflights in Alexandroupolis posed a threat not only to Greece but also to the United States and NATO allies, the US ambassador said that all NATO allies should sit down and resolve their differences and challenges in the bilateral. relations on diplomatic terms. He noted that the US government is constantly encouraging its two NATO allies to resolve their differences through diplomatic means and that it is in everyone’s interest.
The most important advantage of Greece is the intellectual property
He then outlined the policy stance he will pursue as US Ambassador to Greece. He said that he comes from the business world and said that the relationship is solid on the geopolitical front and it is time to mature in other areas and go to the next step, emphasizing economic, business and investment relations. More specifically, he stated that the most important advantage of Greece is its intellectual property. He clarified that Greece has a highly educated workforce, but does not have the ecosystem to use it and suggested that “we must marry intellectual capital with investment and create an ecosystem with business values.” In this light, he stressed the need to increase US investment in Greece, to help it develop a dynamic economy. He expressed the view that the government has understood that this is the future and these are the necessary steps, and said he was surprised by the efforts to digitize Greece. In this context, he cited as an example of best practices Israel, which, as he said, has more companies in the NASDAQ index than the German, French and British combined. At the same time, he urged “to work to bring the children who left (due to brain drain)”.
Finally, he noted that there is momentum in terms of this year’s tourist flow from the US.
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