Greece's strategic position, prospects for energy infrastructure development, and the strengthening of US-Greek relations stood at the center of statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during an interview with Breitbart News following his visit to Athens and his speech at the Acropolis. The head of American diplomacy underscored that Greece can play a decisive role in Europe's energy security, both through the development of domestic energy resources and as a transit country for natural gas and other forms of energy toward European markets. Concurrently, he characterized Greece as an important ally of the US, highlighting its role in NATO, geopolitical stability, and the energy independence of the broader region.
Greece positioned in an advantageous geographical location for energy
Marco Rubio assessed that Greece possesses a significant geographical and political advantage that can be leveraged to expand energy production and transport energy across different regions. As he noted, Greece appears positive toward energy resource exploration and exploitation, while its geographical position renders it a critical corridor for constructing pipelines and other transit infrastructure. "Greece finds itself in a very special position, both geographically and politically," the US Secretary of State noted, pointing out that the country is open to energy exploration and encourages development in this specific sector. According to him, Greece holds the potential to function as a connecting link between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Beyond energy production, it can contribute to transporting energy northward toward Europe, as well as southward toward Israel and the broader Middle East. Marco Rubio argued that Greece's geographical position constitutes an advantage not only for energy, but also for bilateral trade and other economic sectors, as has been the case historically.
The Vertical Corridor and American natural gas
Special reference was made to the so-called Vertical Corridor, which can reinforce Greece's role as an entry gateway for natural gas toward Southeastern, Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, with prospects of extending energy flows as far as Ukraine. According to the report, Greece has already assumed a central role in this energy route, which utilizes American natural gas and could, in the future, also transport natural gas from Greece, Cyprus, and other Western countries. This design connects with efforts to diversify Europe's energy sources and curtail its reliance on suppliers viewed as geopolitical adversaries of the West. Asked whether the US administration seeks to have other European nations—such as Britain, Germany, France, and Italy—adopt a more active policy regarding energy exploration, production, and transit, Marco Rubio answered in the affirmative.
Europe's energy dependence on Russia
The US Secretary of State brought back into focus Donald Trump's warnings during his first presidential term regarding Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas. As he noted, Trump had warned that this dependence could render European countries vulnerable to energy pressure and blackmail in the event of a conflict. According to Rubio, those warnings had been met with irony; however, developments in Ukraine highlighted the importance of energy security. He argued that reversing the energy policy Europe pursued for roughly two decades cannot occur overnight. Specifically, he referenced the need to re-examine expectations for a rapid transition to fully green energy, as well as the perception that European nations can avoid developing domestic energy sources. "I hope they have learned their lesson, because Europe's future depends on it," he stated, pointing out simultaneously that high fuel costs for power generation and transport burden European economies.
Meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the energy agenda
Energy cooperation constituted an important topic during Marco Rubio's meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, according to sources cited by Breitbart News. The publication connects the US Secretary's visit with efforts by Greece and Cyprus to strengthen their energy independence through partnerships with major American energy companies and the exploitation of potential natural gas reserves within their maritime zones. This direction diverges from the more cautious stance that, according to the report, other European countries have adopted regarding the development of new energy resources. Cooperation with the US is presented as part of a broader effort to bolster Western energy security, with Greece capable of functioning both as a producer and as a transit hub.
"Greece is a very important ally of the US"
Marco Rubio spoke in particularly positive terms regarding bilateral relations, emphasizing that Greece is important to the United States across a range of critical sectors. "Greece is an important country, very important. It is a great ally of the United States," he stated, adding that Athens has assisted Washington in many ways and remains important to American interests in the future. As he explained, Greece's significance connects with energy independence, regional stability, and its role within NATO forces. The US Secretary of State also recognized that Greece ranks among those nations that increased their defense spending without requiring prior pressure from Donald Trump.
Kimberly Guilfoyle's departure and the new ambassador
Marco Rubio's interview took place a few days after Kimberly Guilfoyle's resignation from her position as US Ambassador to Greece. Asked about next steps in bilateral relations, the US Secretary stated it was still too early to announce her successor. As he noted, the US administration will follow the selection process for the appropriate individual, which will include the prescribed appointment confirmation process. Marco Rubio underscored that Kimberly Guilfoyle's departure should under no circumstances be interpreted as a downgrading of relations with Greece. On the contrary, he emphasized that precisely because the relationship is so important, Washington wants the new ambassador to possess the full support and confidence of the US President. "We want to give Greece the ambassador it deserves and is entitled to," he noted, adding that until the process is completed, the presence of a strong team of officials on the ground will be ensured.
The Acropolis speech and shared historical heritage
In his speech at the Acropolis, Marco Rubio presented Greece as a foundational source of the cultural and political tradition that, as he argued, shaped the modern United States. Referencing the message of his speech, he stated that Americans are "heirs" of Western civilization, which draws from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as European history. As he explained, many of the values supporting the American political system and society today did not emerge from scratch, but rest upon a shared historical journey. He argued that the West ought to recognize and defend its historical heritage rather than treating its history and achievements with guilt. For Greece, this specific reference imparted a symbolic dimension to the visit beyond the energy and geopolitical agenda: highlighting the country as a historical reference point for Western civilization.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών