Meeting with the Deputy Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Stavros Kalafatis had the new US Ambassador to Greece George Tsounis.
Mr. Kalafatis welcomed Mr. Tsounis to the office of the Governor, with the ambassador referring to the cooperation relations of our country with the USA, emphasizing the importance of the facilities for the reception and storage of LNG in Alexandroupolis, which “becomes very important center for geopolitical and energy issues “.
George Tsounis also stressed that The US is looking for “constructive and reliable partners for the challenges that exist today”, adding that “the US chooses Greece”.
In statements after the meeting, Mr. Kalafatis stressed:
“It is our honor, it is an honor for Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace, that today we welcome George Tsounis to his second Homeland.
A Greek – who, as has been aptly said, is the personification of the American dream – now has the opportunity to serve what he believes in and as few can. To help bring his two homelands, the USA and Greece, even closer.
In foreign and defense policy, trade and investment, tourism and energy. It is, of course, the common belief that today the strategic relations between the two friends and allied countries are stronger than ever. We have achieved this lately and we expect them to become even closer.
We proved it with the recent signing and approval by the Greek Parliament of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement. And we strongly believe that Northern Greece, and in particular Alexandroupolis, as a new pole of bilateral strategic cooperation, but also as a gateway for natural gas from the Middle East to Europe, can play a catalytic role in further strengthening bilateral relations.
This was confirmed, immediately after, by the reception of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis by President Biden and the results of their talks. As well as the warm applause of his historic speech in Congress, by the Senators and the Member of Parliament of the friendly country. In particular, the applause of his reports on the ongoing occupation of half of Cyprus. And his references to the challenges in the Aegean, which, in addition to arbitrary revisionism, threaten – at critical times – the cohesion of NATO. And his references to the clear condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the support of the Ukrainian people.
It is, after all, our attitude, another proof of our commitment to our common principles and our credibility as allies, at a time when others are choosing “smart neutral” policies.
We are convinced that an American and at the same time a Greek can only be a guarantee of respect for International Law in our troubled neighborhood. He will, after all, be able to see firsthand our willingness to cooperate with all our neighbors, provided the only condition is respect for international treaties and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
We had the opportunity to talk about the new possibilities that Thessaloniki, Macedonia and Thrace acquire, a fact that is reflected both in the attraction of world giants and in the promoted energy infrastructure in Alexandroupolis. But also to discuss issues related to new investment opportunities in areas of common interest such as Energy, Innovation, Culture and Tourism, New Technologies and Innovation. We wish you good strength and success in your new duties “.
From his side, the US Ambassador Mr. George Tsounisreported:
“I am grateful to be in Thessaloniki, with my friend the Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia and Thrace). We had a very productive and constructive collaboration, for all the very interesting and dynamic things that take place in this beautiful corner of Greece. Friends have told me for a long time, both abroad and in Greece, that Thessaloniki is evolving into one of the most dynamic and innovative cities in all of Europe and is rapidly attracting investment. I think this is particularly important, since there are now dynamic and economic reasons for young people to remain in the region, but also because Thessaloniki is the capital of the Balkans. This has specific responsibilities. Responsibilities that the region and Greece assume so well and serve in the best way. I am the US Ambassador to Greece, but I am also grateful that Greece is such a constructive and reliable partner. Both regionally and in terms of integration in the Balkans, Greece has a huge opportunity.
Also, I look forward to visiting Alexandroupolis which is becoming a very important center of geopolitical and energy issues. The US is looking for constructive and reliable partners for the challenges that exist today – and the US is choosing Greece. Because Greece is so innovative that it is commendable, it is always on the right side of history and the Greeks have shown the way in terms of democratic values and the management of peoples with honor. “I am grateful as the US ambassador that our two countries are the beacons of democracy and continue to uphold democratic values with such high respect.”
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