«Greece is becoming an energy hub - not on paper, in reality. Greece will be the solution to help Europe overcome this energy crisis. And this will be very important for Greece's economy and it will also be very important for its geostrategic importance,» US Ambassador to Greece George Tsounis said in an interview with the Athens/Macedonian News Agency, describing Greece as «the most important and reliable partner for solving the challenges of the region.».
«Greece is a leader in energy diversity, in energy security, which is also national security, and in energy transition, and I'm proud of the relationship that the US has with Greece as it is values-based, results-oriented and results-oriented, and jointly solving problems that exist in this region,» the US ambassador underlined.
Asked if the United States is ready to contribute to Europe's energy independence and the diversification of energy sources, Mr.Tsounis answers that the US is already contributing in this direction and explains that his country is the largest supplier of LNG to Europe than any other country in the world. «We are trying to bring LNG to Europe and Greece as fast as we can. 60% of Greece's LNG comes from the United States and that percentage is growing,» he notes, calling what happened years ago with the exclusive supply of energy from Russia a «strategic mistake».
«I think countries have realised that it is wrong as they face the consequences. Those consequences are real and serious. I hope they are as short-lived as possible,» he says, stressing that the United States is providing support «not just in words, but in deeds,» by piping LNG but also by supporting projects that diversify energy sources, contribute to energy transition and decarbonization.
«For Greece, these problems are significantly less than in other nations, because of its excellent leadership,’ the US ambassador said, noting that Greece is in the top ten countries in terms of investment in the renewable energy sector. He listed a number of projects that contribute to strengthening our country's energy profile, such as the extension of Revithoussa, the two FSRUs for Alexandroupolis, one of which will be ready in about 15 months, and another one to be built in Corinth. Also the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector which has been completed, and the interconnector with North Macedonia.
Greece leads Europe's economic growth
The US ambassador, who visited Thessaloniki and the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair last weekend and had a series of meetings and contacts in the city, characterizes the American presence at the country's largest international exhibition event - ten people from the State Department, American ambassadors serving in Balkan countries and a strong presence of the US diplomatic mission in Greece - as recognition of Greece's position and role, while he looks back to the past, describing it as ironic that «a few years ago, Greece was - unfairly - treated like a punching bag» and today it is in this strong position.
«There were nations in Europe that wanted Greece to leave the Eurozone and now they need its help,» he says, emphasizing the recovery of the Greek economy, which last year «ran» at a rate of over 8% - «one of the fastest growing in Europe» - and this year, in the second quarter, at 7.7%.
«Greece is leading Europe's economic growth today,» he said.
«Americans are “thirsty” to come to Greece for holidays»
Regarding tourism and the prospects of further strengthening the flow of Americans visiting our country and who this year «voted» massively for Greece for their summer holidays, Mr.Tsounis, with his long experience in the sector from his previous business activity, underlines that «it is clear that American tourists are “thirsty” to come to Greece».
As he says, «this can be seen in the record number of Americans who came and the record number of money they spent here,» which he describes as very useful for the Greek economy, a large percentage of whose GDP is based on tourism.
He expressed the hope that next year things will be even better. «I think we'll see more flights a week from Boston. We don't have any from Miami or from the West Coast, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and I think you'll see a big push and a big push to start flights to Athens and from there as well.».
Specifically for Thessaloniki, he stresses the necessity of a direct flight from New York. «It is long overdue. I will push hard for it. It is a priority of this embassy and I hope we can get it done next summer,’ he says, while he considers the need to extend the season equally important.
«We are also working on extending the season. It cannot only concern the summer season», he notes and explains that on the one hand, the extension of flights does not only concern passengers but also cargo, a «very important economic issue», and on the other hand, Greece offers tourism all year round since «300 days a year there is sunshine!».
«Clearly, there are signs that airlines are expanding their direct flights,» Tsonis notes, and he urges American tourists to discover «the many beautiful places for the other seasons (except summer)» that Greece has to offer.
«There are many beautiful places and villages for winter, autumn, spring. For hiking, for skiing, for excellent food. I would compare the gastronomy in Greece with any country in the world!», says Tsounis, while he even suggests that golf lovers should discover Greece as a destination, citing the excellent facilities of Costa Navarino as an example.
«Thessaloniki as an investment magnet»
On his third official visit to Thessaloniki since assuming his ambassadorial duties, Mr Tsounis said he was impressed by the «truly international character» of the TIF, an institution he visited for the first time and had the opportunity to participate in several discussions (on energy, women's empowerment, combating misinformation, etc.).
Asked about the prospect of more American investments in the city and the region, the American ambassador stressed as a general principle that «businesses go where they want them and stay where they are valued» and estimated that Thessaloniki, the «capital of the Balkans», which has already attracted major American investments, such as Pfizer, Cisco and Deloitte after the participation of the US in the 2018 Thessaloniki International Trade Fair as an «honored country», will be a «magnet for investment».
«The Aristotle University produces graduates ready for work. People with tremendous skills, needed in the 21st century environment. So not only do you have job-ready graduates coming out of a top university, but you also have a great place to live,» he says, emphasizing infrastructure upgrade projects in the city (e.g. airport).
«Liberty Square cannot be a parking lot»
Having shown a special interest in the history of Thessaloniki from his very first official visit in his capacity as ambassador, when -among other things- he had visited the Jewish Museum, Mr. Tsounis refers to two projects related to the preservation of the city's historical memory: the conversion of Eleftherias Square, which today serves as a parking lot, into a memory park and the construction of the Holocaust Museum, stressing that the due honour to the memory of the victims of Nazi atrocities is already overdue.
«I often like to quote Shakespeare saying that if something is to be done it must be done quickly. I think we've “missed the boat” when it comes to quickly as it's been almost 80 years,» he says. «There hasn't been enough recognition and we need to fix that. It's a historical injustice,» he adds, and referring to Liberty Square, says it can't be a parking lot.
«Liberty Square needs to be done. This is the place from where the Jewish community was taken to the death camps. It cannot be a parking lot,’ he notes and stresses the need to turn Eleftherias Square into a memorial park immediately.
«There are many places to make parking lots in the city of Thessaloniki, which are within walking distance. I understand that there are some challenges in terms of parking here, but I also understand that Metro is coming and there are other places to provide parking. So I am not seeking to address a historical inequity by creating a greater parking challenge for Thessalonians. We can do both. It (parking) cannot be an excuse for inaction on an incredibly important issue,» he stresses.
He also stresses the need to proceed with the construction of the Holocaust Museum. «We need to complete the planning and start the construction of a world-class Holocaust Museum that will commemorate the tragic events of World War II. It is an important reminder to all of us that this could happen again as history repeats itself...’, the American Ambassador said emphatically, making special mention of the role of education and the Museum's contribution to this process.
He pledges that the United States and he personally will help with both of these major projects that are linked to the historical memory and the tragic fate of the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.
Sofia Papadopoulou
