Mitsotakis: US-EU support for the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnection

The joint statement that the Greek-American relations are at the best level ever made was made by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the US Vice President, Kamala Harris, during their meeting on Saturday in Munich, on the sidelines of the 58th Security Conference.

In fact, according to information, Mr. Mitsotakis informed Ms. Harris about the government’s intention to vote in the next few weeks on the Greece-US Defense Agreement. As it emerges from the meeting, the US side shares the impression that Athens is now of increasing strategic importance in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, especially, as has been said, in the field of energy. In fact, both the US and the EU seem to be unequivocally supporting the Greek-Egyptian electricity interconnection, especially at a time when the debate on strengthening energy sources in the EU is relevant in the background and the tension in the Russian-Ukrainian borders. It is clear, moreover, that the project of the Greek-Egyptian electricity interconnection is now an absolute priority of the Athens-Cairo relations, as evidenced by the launch of the next days of teleconference on the issue with the participation of the Greek Prime Minister and the Egyptian President.

Greek-Turkish relations

On the Greek-Turkish front, Kyriakos Mitsotakis reportedly informed Kamala Harris about the absurd escalation of Turkish rhetoric regarding the islands of the Eastern Aegean. As it turns out, Athens has made it clear to all partners and allies that any improvement in Greek-Turkish and consequently Euro-Turkish relations becomes very difficult as long as the same rhetoric continues. However, despite the escalation of the inflammatory Turkish rhetoric in the government, they emphasize that the channels between the two countries remain open as Athens and Ankara discuss a range of issues from tourism to the exploratory contacts themselves.

In any case, well-informed sources insist that the Mitsotakis-Harris appointment reaffirmed the lively American interest in investing in our country, especially in the field of infrastructure and in this case for the ports of Igoumenitsa, Kavala and Alexandroupolis. In the background of tonight’s meeting, moreover, the Greek side still considers the visit of Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House for his meeting with US President Joe Biden possible within the first half of 2022.

Regarding the crisis in Ukraine, Athens has the impression that the diplomatic channels remain open despite the escalation seen in the field. It is also stressed that the unity in the Euro-Atlantic edifice is not in question, but also that Russia will face severe consequences, as long as the tension leads to an armed conflict.