“We are trying to transport LNG to Europe and Greece as quickly as we can. 60% of Greece’s LNG comes from the United States and this percentage is increasing,” the American ambassador emphasized.
“Greece is becoming an energy hub – not on paper, in reality. Greece will be the solution to help Europe overcome this energy crisis. And this will be very important for Greece’s economy and it will also be very important for its geostrategic importance.” emphasizes, in an interview with the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency, the US Ambassador to Greece George Tsounis and characterizes our country as “the most important and reliable partner for solving the challenges of the region”.
“Greece is a leader in energy diversity, in energy security, which is national security, as well as in energy transition, and I’m proud of the relationship that the US has with Greece because it’s values-based, results-oriented, and jointly solving problems that exist in this region”the American ambassador emphasizes.
Asked if the United States is prepared to contribute to energy independence of Europe and the diversification of energy sources, Mr. Tsounis replies that the USA is already contributing in this direction and explains that his country is the largest supplier of LNG in Europe than any other country in the world. “We are trying to transport LNG to Europe and Greece as quickly as we can. 60% of Greece’s LNG comes from the United States and this percentage is increasing”, he notes and characterizes what was done years ago with the exclusive supply of energy from Russia as a “strategic mistake”.
“I think countries have realized that it’s wrong as they deal with the consequences. These consequences are real and serious. I hope they are as short-lived as possible,” he says, emphasizing that the United States provides support “not just in words, but in deeds,” with LNG pipeline but also by supporting projects that diversify energy sources, contribute to the energy transition and decarbonisation.
“For Greece these problems are significantly less than in other nations because of the outstanding leadership,” estimates the American ambassador, pointing out that our country is in the top ten countries in terms of investments in the field of renewable energy sources. It also lists a series of projects that contribute to strengthening the energy profile of our country, such as the expansion of Revythoussa, the two FSRUs for Alexandroupoli, one of which will be ready in about 15 months, but also another one that is about to to be built in Corinth. Also, the Greece-Bulgaria interconnection pipeline that has been completed, as well as the interconnection pipeline with North Macedonia.
Greece leads the economic development of Europe
The American ambassador, who last weekend visited Thessaloniki and TIF and had a series of meetings and contacts in the city, characterizes the American presence at the country’s largest international exhibition event – ten people from the State Department, American ambassadors serving in countries of of the Balkans and the strong presence of the American diplomatic mission in Greece – in recognition of Greece’s position and role, while looking back at the past, describing as ironic the fact that “a few years ago, Greece was – unfairly – treated like a punching bag” and today is in this strong position.
“There were nations in Europe that wanted Greece out of the Eurozone and now they need their help,” he says, emphasizing the recovery of the Greek economy, which last year “ran” at a rate of more than 8% – “one of the fastest growing in Europe”- again this year, in the second quarter, with 7.7%.
“Greece is leading the economic development of Europe today” he pointed out.
“Americans are “thirsty” to come on vacation in Greece”
As for him tourism and the prospects of further strengthening the stream of Americans who visit our country and who this year massively “voted” for Greece for their summer holidays, Mr. Tsounis, with his long experience in the field from his previous business activity, underlines that “it is clear that American tourists are “thirsty” to come to Greece”.
As he says, “this is seen by the record number of Americans who came and the record amount of money they spent here”, a fact that he characterizes as very useful for the Greek economy, a large percentage of whose GDP is based on tourism.
He expresses his assessment that next year things will be even better. “I think we will see more flights per week from Boston. We don’t have any from Miami or from the West Coast, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and I think you’re going to see a big effort and a big push to start flights to and from Athens.”
In particular for Thessaloniki, he underlines the necessity of a direct flight from New York. “It’s long overdue. I will push hard for this. It is a priority of this embassy and I hope that we will be able to achieve it next summer”, he says, while he considers the need to extend the season equally important.
“We are also working on extending the season. It cannot only concern the summer season”, he notes and explains that on the one hand the extension of flights does not only concern passengers but also cargo, a “very important economic issue”, and on the other hand Greece is suitable for tourism all year round since ” 300 days a year there is sun!”.
“It is clear that there are signs that the airlines are expanding their direct flights”, notes Mr. Tsounis and invites American tourists to discover “the many beautiful places for the other seasons (except summer)” that Greece has.
“There are many beautiful places and villages for winter, autumn, spring. For hiking, for skiing, for great food. I would compare the gastronomy in Greece to any country in the world!” says Mr. Tsounis, while suggesting even golf enthusiasts to discover Greece as a destination, giving as an example its excellent facilities Costa Navarino.
“Thessaloniki is an investment magnet”
On his third official visit to Thessaloniki, since taking up the duties of ambassador, Mr. Tsounis said he was impressed by the “truly international character” of TIF, an institution he visited for the first time and had the opportunity to participate in several discussions ( for energy, women’s empowerment, combating misinformation, etc.).
Asked about the prospect of comingn more American invests in the city and the region, the American ambassador emphasizes as a general principle that “businesses go where they want them and stay where they value them” and he estimates that Thessaloniki, the “capital of the Balkans”, which has already attracted large American investments, such as Pfizerthe Cisco and the Deloitte after the US joins the TIF in 2018 as an “honored country”, it will be an “investment magnet”.
“Aristotle University produces graduates ready for work. People with tremendous skills, needed in the 21st century environment. So not only do you have job-ready graduates coming from a top university, but you also have a great place to live,” he says, emphasizing infrastructure upgrade projects in the city (e.g. airport).
“Eleftheria Square cannot be a parking lot”
Having shown a special interest in her history Thessaloniki from his very first official visit as an ambassador, when – among other things – he had visited the Jewish MuseumMr. Tsounis refers to two projects related to the preservation of the historical memory of the city: its transformation Eleftheria Squarewhich today functions as a parking lot, in a memorial park and the construction of the Holocaust Museum, underlining that the due honor to the memory of the victims of Nazi atrocities is already overdue.
“Many times I like to invoke Shakespeare saying that if something is to be done it should be done quickly. I think we’ve ‘missed the boat’ on the fast side as it’s been almost 80 years.” says. “There hasn’t been enough recognition and we need to fix that. It is a historical injustice”, he adds and referring to Eleftherias Square, he emphasizes that it cannot be a parking lot.
“Freedom Square must be built. This is the place from where the Jewish community was taken to the death camps. It can’t be a parking lot,” notes and emphasizes the need to immediately turn Eleftherias Square into a memorial park.
“There are many places to park in the city of Thessaloniki, which are within walking distance. I understand that there are some challenges with parking here, but I also understand that the subway is coming and there are other places to provide parking. So I am not seeking to address a historical inequity by creating a greater parking challenge for Thessalonians. We can do both. It cannot be an excuse for inaction on an incredibly important issue.” underlines.
He also emphasizes the need to move forward and construction of the Holocaust Museum. “The planning must be completed and the construction of a world-class Holocaust Museum commemorating the tragic events of World War II must begin. It’s an important reminder to all of us that this could happen again as history repeats itself…” says the American ambassador emphatically, making special mention of the role of education and the Museum’s contribution to this process.
He commits, in fact, that the United States as well as himself personally will help in both of these major projects related to the historical memory and the tragic fate of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
RES-EMP
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