“Without Greece’s leadership role, the vertical gas corridor would not be possible,” said the new US Embassy in Athens Josh Huck, in a statement to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency, in the 89th Anniversary of the 89 U.S. Prompts in Europe, to stop buying Russian gas

“Greece, as we see, plays a completely critical role in the vertical corridor,” he said. “Greece,” he added, “has done really a great job to be placed as an energy hub, in a way that was not valid, if we look at 10-20 years back-it just didn’t apply.”

Josh Khak described Greece a “really important player” and listed the reasons for this appreciation:

‘First, there is the her geographical position – Just the reality of geography and where we should be able to access the European market, especially in its eastern part. But it is also a matter of governance and political will; the (Greek) government has really committed it to it.

And they are also infrastructureand the US has played an important role in it. For example, in Elefsina Shipyards, the US, through the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), have pledged 125 million to improve shipyards to be able to serve liquefied natural gas (LNG/LNG) vessels and supply more, especially American LNGs through each.

Of course we also have a American companywhich is one of the key factors involved in the floating storage and re -treatment unit in Alexandroupolis. Thus, the US has played a role in it, but Greece’s role is truly central. And without Greece, without the leading role of Greece, the vertical corridor would not be possible. So we are very excited about this opportunity and we are very pleased with our cooperation with Greece, so far, on this issue. “

Concerning the LNG (and American) imports aimed at diversifying energy sources, it commented that it was “a very important story”, because for a long time, all the energy that arrived in Europe, or its overwhelming majority, came from the East. “They were Russian sources of energy. And that gave them a monopoly control of European markets. And, as someone said on the panel we had at the 9th Energy Forum of SE Europe of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (ed. Last Friday), energy is security. I think not only in the United States, but also in Europe, there is now a broad transatlantic consensus that we need to find a safe energy future for Europe that does not depend on Russian energy. So the vertical corridor comes in, and in particular the ability to differentiate the supply away from Russian energy. “

The US Embassy in Athens also emphasized that “the US is now the largest exporter of LNG in the world, so they can play a very important role as a close ally in Greece, transferring these LNG loads to the vertical corridor, passing through Bulgaria, Bulgaria and Bulgaria, Romania and Romania.”

Josh Khak described this development as “very important” and added: “We are still in the early stages, but there are still many to be done. But I believe this is a truly important strategic change in the region. “

The return to Thessaloniki and the first time to the TIF

Although he had visited Thessaloniki in the past (for the first time 17 years ago and 2-3 years ago in the capacity of the Deputy Minister then), Josh Huck came to the Thessaloniki International Exhibition for the first time this year. The first time he came to Thessaloniki from Sofia, where he served for three years, he liked the city. “Then I really liked Thessaloniki, but now I see how much it has grown, how alive it is. Driving around I saw how many people were out and walking, having fun at 10pm, 11pm. It’s a vibrant city. You feel it. It’s really great to see it! “He noted.

He estimated that “economic dynamism is an important part of it” and explained: “We are particularly focused on this region as a truly critical place, not only of Greece but also in the wider region. And as I said, my first contact was from Bulgaria, so I consider this Balkan framework really important. Here, in the area, there are three very important ports: Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupolis – the energy I mentioned – but there is also its aspect security. We have used many of these ports as part of NATO for exercises and training. There is also Mount Athos, a very important part of the Greek Orthodox Church. So it’s a series of really important issues. And there is a very long -term American presence, especially if you look at the American Agricultural School or our consulate here in Thessaloniki, which is an amazing strategic advantage. We have an excellent team here. So we see all this as a really important part of the US involvement, but also as an important part of Greece’s history in the wider region. “

As for his first time at the TIF, he said he was impressed by the atmosphere as at the time of statements the energy booth was full of children with their families, and also referred to the role of such exhibitions. “It is a very useful opportunity for many governments and officials in Athens to come and show and explain what they are doing. And this is a very useful role, and I’m not sure that governments around the world do it quite often. “

During his visit to Thessaloniki, Josh Huck spoke at conferences of the Economist and the Hellenic American Chamber, visited the 89th TIF and had a series of meetings