Τζ. Payat: Central axis of Greek-US cooperation is the port of Alexandroupolis

The port of Alexandroupolis is evolving at the heart of bilateral defense and security cooperation in northern Greece, beyond its role as a key gateway to the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region, said US Ambassador , who visited, today, the port as part of the day of distinguished visitors of the exercise Atlantic Resolve 2021.

The US ambassador, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Nikos Panayotopoulos and US Consul General in Thessaloniki Elizabeth Lee, had the opportunity to see up close some of the largest – to date – transfer of US military equipment through the port of Alexandroupolis, noting -among other things- that “the ever-increasing volume of military activity, here in the port, underlines the expanding strategic role and importance of Alexandroupolis – for Greece, for the United States and for the region”.

“A stronger and more secure Greece is in the American interest in the region. Deepening and expanding defense cooperation between our democratic nations not only benefits us but also makes NATO more capable. And that is exactly what we are doing today, here in Alexandroupolis.” “, Mr. Payat stated characteristically.

He noted that in recent years the United States has significantly increased its commitment to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as evidenced by the many visits he has made during his tenure as Ambassador (today was the seventh visit in the city) as well as other senior US officials. “Every time,” he said, “we welcome a new milestone in development and cooperation between our countries – not just in the field of defense, because Alexandroupolis also plays an increasingly important role in our countries’ common goals of strengthening European energy and climate security and regional stability building “.

What he said about the American companies participating in the privatization tender

Referring to the privatization process of the port of Alexandroupolis and Kavala, Mr. Payat said he was proud of the two strong American bidders, BlackSummit and Quintana, emphasizing that “these American companies are in this process. to win, but also to create financial opportunities “.

Responding a little later to a relevant question of the Athenian / Macedonian News Agency on this issue, he explained that “the American companies participating in the tender for the privatization of the port of Alexandroupolis do not see this port only as it is today but also the possibilities it offers for future “and want to develop it as a key gateway to the Western Balkans and beyond. In this context, he said, the Alexandroupolis Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) is “an important example of how Alexandroupolis can be a gateway to the Western Balkans, enhancing co-operation to diversify energy sources and routes.” .

“The first time I came to this port it was empty. The place we are in today was used as a storage area for test pipelines for TAP. Today we see it coming to life again and this year the revenue is higher than ever,” he said. .Payat.

At the highest level of all time the bilateral relationship

In his speech from the podium of today’s event, Mr. Payat also stressed that the Greece-US partnership, especially defense, has reached the highest level of all time and is one of the strongest American defense relations in Europe.

Referring in particular to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA), he noted that its framework has strengthened and promoted our common defense and strategic interests for more than three decades, however, “it is not the ceiling, but a platform on which we can continue to develop and expand our cooperation “.

“We are at the peak of our relationship but we have not yet reached the top. There is much more we can do together to ensure that US-Greek relations are stronger than ever,” he said.

“Our relationship in terms of security is not just about hardware. It is about our strong commitment to a long-term partnership based on shared strategic interests and values.

During his visit to the port of Alexandroupolis today, the American ambassador talked to American soldiers and was informed about the helicopters and the rest of the military equipment, but also about the “very warm”, as they conveyed, reception of the American forces in both Alexandroupolis as well as in Volos, in Stefanovikeio.

The representative of the brigade, Cris Well, also spoke to the Athenian / Macedonian News Agency about the warm welcome and the very good organization of the port of Alexandroupolis regarding the needs for the transfer of military equipment. “We had a great experience here in Alexandroupolis. All the people we have come in contact with here at the port are great professionals,” he said.

The largest -so far- transfer of military equipment

What is happening in the port of Alexandroupolis within the Atlantic Resolve is the largest – to date – transfer of military equipment and concerns the deployment and deployment of US forces through this port, with the final destination areas in the Balkans.

The whole process started early last month, with the reception and development of all the facilities needed for Arc Independence to bring 1st Air Cavalry Brigade equipment from Fort Hood, Texas and to receive 1st Combat Aviation Brigade equipment to return to America, something that happened this morning with the departure of that particular ship.

As part of the change of materials of the two formations, in the port of Alexandroupolis were developed about 1000 pieces of material, which have to do with wheeled vehicles, containers, special equipment and natural helicopters (AH-64 Apache and UH-60 and HH-60 Blackhawk).

The material of the 1st CAB has already been loaded and left for America and a very large part of the material of the ACB has been forwarded to Volos, Stefanovikeio, for winter training. There, American and Greek crews will be co-trained, in a sequence of exercises and from joint training. The rest of the brigade was sent to the final destinations, which are mainly in Romania and a few in Bulgaria.