Τζ. Payat: I’m proud to have worked with Greece to become a top US ally

The former US ambassador to Athens, Jeffrey Payat, referred to the important role that Greece is called to play in the new energy map that has begun to take shape under the weight of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The US diplomat made his first public statement since returning to the United States as part of a congressional hearing to approve his appointment as Secretary of State for Energy.

For his part, Mr. Payat explained that energy diversification is particularly important in order for the State Department’s Office of Energy Affairs to thrive on boosting fuel supply on the world market and preventing the use of energy as a weapon of war. weapons from Russia.

In fact, at this point he stood by the efforts he made as ambassador to Athens to highlight and strengthen the role of Greece as a top ally of the United States.

“Energy diversification is vital to this effort. For more than six years in Athens, I am proud to have worked with the Greek government to help this country become a leading ally in diversifying energy sources and (energy) routes in Athens. “It’s important that our embassy team also supported Greece in its (effort) to adopt one of the most ambitious energy transition programs in the EU, often working with American companies that create jobs here at home (in the US).” stressed characteristics

He went on to say that one of his main goals would be to work with US allies and partners to free them from their dependence on malicious agents such as Russia to ensure that the United States and its partners will benefit from the economic opportunities presented by the clean energy revolution. As he explained, we must achieve a future with low carbon emissions that will provide reliable and affordable energy to all sections of society.

“Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has rewritten the world energy map, and the United States has worked with allies and partners to address the serious implications, especially of Europe ‘s energy security. The beginning of this war was its failure to predict how its actions would make our alliances stronger and accelerate the energy transition.Together with the EU, the Member States, global allies and partners and the private sector, we are reshaping energy supply “In Europe, by increasing efficiency measures that reduce overall energy demand and accelerating the development of renewable energy technologies,” he said.

In addition, Jeffrey Payat spoke of a pivotal moment for the State Department’s energy affairs office, as he said the news headlines reflected the importance of energy issues to the American economy, daily life and national security. .

As he explained, “energy issues have been an important issue that I have focused on for the last two decades of my career. As US Ambassador to Ukraine, I have seen daily how Russia has used energy as a weapon to undermine European sovereignty and facilitate corruption. “Putin’s brutal invasion has caused global energy prices to rise and American citizens are suffering as a result. and our allies. ”

Aim to Ensure US Energy Technology Leadership

“As an economics diplomat, I take seriously the urgent need to defend American business and technology leadership. If my candidacy is validated, I will work with business leaders and entrepreneurs to promote investment in energy technologies under “US leadership in all areas – especially those needed to achieve a low-carbon future… Our success requires persistence and a diplomacy-focused strategy to strengthen our international energy partnerships,” said Jeffrey Payat. in his deposition.

The announcement of Payat’s candidacy by the White House

The White House announced in April President Joe Biden’s intention to appoint Ambassador Jeffrey Payat as Undersecretary of State for Energy. According to the announcement of the White House, Jeffrey Payat served until recently as the US ambassador to Greece, a position he has held since 2016.

According to the announcement, from 2013 to 2016 he served as ambassador to Ukraine. Earlier, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Head of the Center for Central Asian and South Asian Affairs. He has been authorized by the US Mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency and to international organizations in Vienna.

From 1999 to 2002 he served as financial advisor to the US Consulate in Hong Kong and from 1997 to 1999 as head of the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan.

He was a member of the National Security Council, in the staff of Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot, and participated in US missions to Honduras and India. Finally, it is noted that he studied political science at the University of California (Irvine), while in 1987 he completed his postgraduate studies in international relations at Yale University.

Source: AMPE