Greece is aiming to become a leading entry point for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the United States to Europe, amid the EU's goal to completely end its dependence on Russian natural gas by 2027, DPA and “Kathimerini“ reported, BTA reports.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented Athens' vision during the international energy conference “Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation“ (P-TEC), held in the Greek capital. Representatives of more than 20 European countries are participating in the forum, as well as US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgham.
Wright said that Russia “cannot be a reliable energy partner“, and stressed the importance of Greece in the changing energy landscape. Mitsotakis agreed, noting that Europe's exit from dependence on Russian gas provides an opportunity to renew the region's energy strategy, in which American supplies will play a key role.
The Greek prime minister welcomed the deepening of energy cooperation with the United States, noting that his country is becoming a regional hub for both natural gas and renewable energy. “Kathimerini“ recalls that ExxonMobil, HELLENiQ Energy and Energean signed an agreement in Athens yesterday for exploratory gas drilling in the Ionian Sea.
“Europe will need natural gas for many years to come”, said Mitsotakis, adding that it is logical for the United States to consider Greece as an entry point for American gas to region. According to him, a large part of the incoming LNG quantities no longer remain in the country, but are redirected to other countries in Southeast Europe.
He also stressed Athens' commitment to the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor, which connects Greece with Ukraine, Moldova, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.
Mitsotakis said that the ban on Russian gas imports into the EU must be fully implemented, and warned that Moscow “should not enter Europe through the back door via Turkey“.