Tsunis: Greece can expand its role as an energy hub in electricity, LNG

The United States has a strong and historic relationship with Greece because it trusts it to act in a reliable way, US Ambassador George Tsunis said on Tuesday, at his first press briefing since taking up his new role.

Tsunis, who was speaking after a meeting with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, noted that US President Joe Biden is very knowledgeable about Greece and its bilateral relations with the United States. Referring to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to the White House on May 16, he said the White House appreciated that Greece was among the first countries to introduce sanctions on Russia, despite the historical ties between the two countries and its dependence on Russian natural gas.

Much of the ambassador’s comments related to Greece’s role as an energy hub and a factor of stability in the region. He said that the US planned to invest in the electricity grid to strengthen the interconnection between Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt. The system, he noted, could send electricity to the Balkans and as far as Moldova and Ukraine, while Greece’s economy would also gain from the passage fees. He also called for more liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating facilities, allowing larger LNG quantities to come to Greece that could then be distributed to the Balkans.

Greece’s greatest advantage is its cultural heritage, the US ambassador said, especially its very highly skilled pool of workers. The solid US-Greece relationship in geopolitical terms allows Greece to mature in other sectors, especially in economic, business and investment bilateral relations, Tsunis said.

Tsunis, who presented his credentials to the president on May 10, earlier exchanged notes verbales on the ratification of the Second Protocol of Amendment to the MDCA by Greece and USA with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. [AMNA]