The Development Ministry will host a meeting today between Takis Theodorikakos and US Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle at 2 PM. According to sources, the agenda will focus on plans for American investments in Greek ports, which appear to be progressing at a rapid pace, with the port of Eleusis expected to be at the center of the Theodorikakos-Guilfoyle tête-à-tête.
Kimberly Guilfoyle’s message on Greek ports
It should be noted that just a few days ago, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, in her first television interview in Greece with ANT1 journalist Maria Sarafoglou, characterized it as unfortunate that the port of Piraeus is in Chinese hands. She also noted that there is a way for the US to manage the situation by counterbalancing Chinese influence in Piraeus with American investments in other ports.
“It’s very important that so many are interested, in terms of infrastructure, in having American infrastructure here, in order to help support the region, to improve, perhaps, the performance of other ports and areas, to counterbalance the Chinese influence at the port of Piraeus,” Ms. Guilfoyle emphasized.
Confirmation of “Apogeumatini” reporting and Rubio’s visit to Athens
These developments essentially confirm “Apogeumatini’s” reporting. Specifically, as Vasiliki Delimitrou’s report for “A” stated, “Greek ports have now become a priority for American foreign policy, as Washington seeks to limit Chinese and Russian influence in the region. Kimberly Guilfoyle particularly emphasized the importance of Alexandroupolis, which is now viewed not only as a gateway to Ukraine, but also as a key hub of the India, Middle East and Europe corridor.”
“At the same time,” the same report noted, “the ports of Eleusis, Volos and Kavala are also high on the American agenda, as they offer strategic capabilities for strengthening Western presence in the region.”
This particular intense interest from Washington in developing a vertical freight transport corridor from Greece to Central Europe was also reflected in the recent visit of a US development bank team to Thriasio, according to the same report. The goal is to connect the port of Eleusis with the freight center, creating an alternative gateway to COSCO-controlled Piraeus.
According to sources, the loan agreement for project financing is expected to be signed before the end of the year, while the pre-announced visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is considered an indication of strengthening cooperation between Greece and the US.
The Theodorikakos-Bergam visit to Eleusis Shipyards
American interest in Eleusis Shipyards is intense, as last September Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos visited the facilities with US Interior Secretary Doug Bergam.
Also present at the shipyards were Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Maritime Affairs and Island Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilas, and US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Josh Hack. They were welcomed by Onex Shipyards & technologies Chairman and CEO Panos Xenokostas.
They toured the facilities and were briefed by the company’s management on the progress of the investment and prospects for further development of Eleusis Shipyards.
