The excellent level of Greek-American relations at the political, economic, defense and energy levels was confirmed today Tuesday at the meeting held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritiswith Democratic Senator, Cory Booker. Mr. Booker is elected in the state of New Jersey, where a thriving Greek community is located. He is a member of the Committees on Foreign Relations, Justice, as well as the Subcommittee on Africa of the US Senate and visited Athens as part of his tour of the region.

During the talks, there was a broad exchange of views on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, as well as major international crises. In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Greece’s commitment to a non-transactional foreign policy of principles and values ​​based on International Law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The discussion was mainly focused on in the crisis in the Middle East and its effects on the Red Sea. Mr. Gerapetritis expressed Athens’ support for the peace plan of American President Joe Biden and highlighted Greek initiatives in the Middle East. Underlining the interrelated nature of the crises, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also referred to the destabilizing action of the Houthis in the Red Sea and the risks to the safety of navigation, but also international trade, highlighting the Greek assistance in the protection of international navigation through its leading role in the EU operation “ASPIDES”.

The two men discussed the situation in Europe, especially after the outcome of the European elections, the developments in the war in Ukraine, the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, which, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized, must be resolved on the basis of the decisions of UN Security Council.

Mr. Gerapetritis and Mr. Booker were reported at length and energy issues. The Minister of Foreign Affairs developed the role of Greece as an energy hub, which contributes to the energy autonomy and diversification of Europe with critical infrastructures, such as the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnection (GREGY), the floating liquefied natural gas regasification unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupoli, as well as by increasing the percentage of Renewable Energy Sources in its energy mix.

Mr. Gerapetritis highlighted the “turning of the page” of the Greek Economy, which is experiencing high growth rates and an increase in foreign direct investments, such as the flagship investments of the American companies Microsoft, Google and Pfizer. Mr. Booker exaggerated by saying that the progress of the Greek Economy makes it a “miracle in the region”.

Finally, the Senator showed particular interest in the Greek positions on the situation in Africa. Mr. Gerapetritis referred extensively to the challenges found on the continent, given the crisis in the Sahel region with the destabilization of democratic states, humanitarian challenges, the infiltration of foreign forces and piracy. It is absolutely necessary, he stressed, to address these crises both in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Maghreb region, in order to prevent further destabilization of the continent.