Economic diplomacy appears to be the new doctrine of United States foreign policy under Donald Trump, and thus the compass for Kimberly Guilfoyle’s tenure in Greece. This fact was confirmed last week at the major energy forum, the much-discussed P-TEC, which Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou organized at Zappeion with tremendous success and unprecedented participation, in the presence of American and European Ministers. From behind-the-scenes conversations in the corridors and in the “closed” halls of Zappeion, where the author was present, as well as from official statements by American officials, it became clear that the US invests in and supports only those geopolitical chess players capable of implementing “drill baby drill.” Like Greece, which has been transformed into an energy hub, essential for Europe’s independence from Russian energy. In Revythousa, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is stored. In Alexandroupoli, the liquid – mainly American LNG – is converted to gas and channeled through the IGB pipeline to Eastern Europe and Ukraine. The aforementioned process is widely known as the “Vertical Corridor” and constitutes the most powerful weapon in our country’s diplomatic quiver at this moment. Greece is at the center of a new energy map that redefines balances, alliances and roles.
Greece’s geopolitical upgrade passes through energy
Apart from the “Vertical Corridor,” in recent days there was much discussion about the agreement signed on the first day of the Conference. Exxonmobil, Energean and Helleniq Energy announced that they are starting exploratory drilling in the Ionian Sea. A decision that beyond the positive economic impact it will have for Greek citizens if it succeeds, already has great geopolitical value. This is because from the moment the US will be present in our country and have interests here, any hostile attempt will fall flat. Turkey, for example, or any other hostile power, will think twice and thrice before considering threatening Greece. “Your interests are our interests too,” Americans were saying in the corridors of Zappeion.
Papastavrou’s big deal
The backstory behind the difficult preparation that was done to achieve this important deal was revealed by Mr. Papastavrou to NEA. As Mr. Papastavrou said – and the big mouth column republished, decoding the statements of the persistent and tireless Minister – the first meeting with Exxon’s management at their headquarters in Houston, Texas in the spring, had not gone particularly well. This was because, as he explained, the world’s largest publicly traded oil company is extremely demanding about the projects it considers participating in, with timelines and the trust that must be built. And it certainly has the luxury of being as selective as it wants, having hundreds of projects and dozens of governments “knocking on its door.” As Mr. Papastavrou explained, «the company thought there was no will for natural gas exploration in Greece, but when it saw that we moved forward with Chevron and without compromises to protecting the public interest, it began to change its stance. When we met again at (the international gas exhibition) Gastech in Milan in early September, it was much more determined to proceed», Mr. Papastavrou stated, adding that another meeting played a major role in the approach, in New York around the same period. That of Kyriakos Mitsotakis with Exxon’s vice president, John Ardill, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. About two months later, Exxon agreed with Energean and Helleniq Energy.
According to reliable information from parapolitika.gr, Mr. Papastavrou has achieved something difficult. Difficult even for his government colleagues. To communicate directly, honestly and for hours with American Ministers who handle energy issues. In fact, he will be in Washington again in the near future. In early December, he will travel again to the American capital for meetings. A fact that proves that energy cooperation constitutes the backbone of Greek-American cooperation.
Guilfoyle: “Greece will become an energy hub”
One need only count how many times Mrs. Guilfoyle referenced the P-TEC conference and the energy deals that were signed, during her first interview since taking office.«Greece will become an energy hub», the ambassador told ANT1, emphasizing that this is the reason Trump chose her as ambassador to our country. “We want to show that Greece can become the energy hub that will help us resist Russian and Chinese interests. What we’re looking for is energy independence, which will help national defense and national security.”
The connection of energy security with national security was not made by chance and was not made only through Mrs. Guilfoyle’s words. The same was told to the author by the American energy «czar» and US Secretary of Interior, Doug Bergam. Number 3 in the American government. But also by US Deputy Secretary of State, Jacob Helberg, who gave an interview to “PARAPOLITIKA.” The message, therefore, was received. Both by Greece and by Turkey.
