Payat: US plans in Alexandroupolis do not pose a threat to Turkey

US plans in Alexandroupolis do not pose a threat to Turkey, US Ambassador to Greece Jeffrey Payat said, speaking at the Thessaloniki Summit 2021, organized today and tomorrow in Thessaloniki by the Hellenic Industries Association (SVE) and the Economic Forum of Delphi, under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Asked to comment on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reaction to US plans for Alexandroupolis, the US ambassador stressed that “the partnership between the United States and Greece in eastern Macedonia and Thrace is not a threat to Turkey” and explained the plans. These concern the strengthening of commitments in the framework of the bilateral alliance, the development of the role of Greece and the power of Greece in various formations such as NATO but also the bilateral military partnership role through the new defense agreement (MDCA).

Regarding in particular the defense cooperation and the strategic dialogue between our countries, Mr. Payat stressed that “we are at the top but not at the top”, he said he was very proud of the progress that has been achieved, stressed the importance of their work military (military) actors in promoting the dialogue and stressed that the US sees Greece as a country with which they share common strategic interests.

Having already completed five years in Greece as ambassador to the United States, Mr. Payat spoke of the ‘extraordinary progress’ that has been made. “I am very proud of the progress that has been made in these five years in bilateral relations but also of the progress that Greece has achieved,” he said, noting that the United States will continue to invest in our country and in bilateral relations.

Referring to the wider region of SE Europe, Mr. Payat underlined the US commitment to the region, while he also made special reference to the US partnership with Europe, which “is becoming even more important”, thus rejecting the allegations about the relocation of the US of interest.

On the occasion of the previous panel discussion on the EU and the Western Balkans with the participation of the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations, Miroslav Lajτσακk, the US Ambassador stressed that “the vision for The accession of the Western Balkans to the EU in 2003) is more real today than ever “, he praised the role of the Prespa Agreement in this direction, while he did not hide his concern about the situation in Northern Macedonia, after the resignation of Zoran Zaef. “Of course we are concerned (about the situation),” he said, reiterating the need to keep the accession process alive for Northern Macedonia and Albania.

Finally, when asked to comment on the importance of initiatives such as the tripartite cooperation 3 + 1, the US Ambassador replied that “we are deeply committed to the 3 + 1 project” emphasizing that the American side shares the vision of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dandruff to enlarge this shape. “It could be 3 + 1 and someone else (x)”, he stated characteristically.