Ambassador Israel: The national interest determines the decisions on energy projects

It is the national interest of the countries in the region that will determine the decisions for projects such as EastMed, stressed in an interview with the Athenian / Macedonian News Agency the Israeli ambassador to Greece Yossi Amrani, explaining that the issue of energy is now more critical. due to the war in Ukraine, and we must immediately ensure that energy needs are met.

“Now, the issue of energy is more critical, because of the war in Ukraine. And there is a lot more attention and a lot more discussion. This does not bring us closer to any decision or any specific project. What we have are regional tanks and a need for “Europe for energy and political or strategic need for diversity. We must ensure that what we can offer, what we need in Europe will find its way into the markets,” he said. 7th Delphi Economic Forum.

“How do we do that, this is open to discussion. And that’s what we’re dealing with now,” he said, noting, however, that “my advice to all of us is not to spend another 12 years (talking) like we did with EastMed.”

Specifically for EastMed, he reiterated what he said in a discussion at the Delphi Forum, that the dominant element for the relevant decisions is “the interests of the countries of the region” and these countries will take “through their own direct communication – bilaterally, trilaterally. and not only – the right decision to serve their national interest “.

“EastMed is a name, EastMed is a concept. Whether EastMed will go from point A to point B and point B to point C or go from point A to point D and point D to point “point C, is something that must be decided by the private sector, the financial sector and governments,” he said.

Responding to criticism that the pipelines are time-consuming and, above all, costly projects, the Israeli ambassador noted that we should not rule out anything and that in the end “what should be decided is the national interest and the interest of energy diversity in Europe and how better served “.

“I hear different opinions from some experts – and there are some experts in Greece, whose know-how and insight I trust – that even if we are fully committed to green energy and renewable sources, there will always be a need for gas to cover I’ll not rule out some energy resources just because of a specific political climate. “Let us not rule out anything and let us make sure that our energy independence and energy survival is ensured by different means,” he said.

Huge opportunities for the development of bilateral relations

Regarding the relations between Israel and Greece, Mr. Amrani says that there are already tangible results in sectors such as real estate and tourism, but also huge opportunities for further development. “I see tangible results. I would not underestimate what we have,” he said, stressing the close exchanges, intensive meetings and exchanges, the dynamics of exchanges, the “chemistry” between leaders, the transparency “and the fact that we think together about area, not only for ourselves, but for the area and how the area can be safer, more stable, more prosperous and how we can contribute to that “as proof of the progress that has been made.

“Everything is not done with just one decision. It takes time, but we have made progress and I am very happy with this progress. I am not saying that we have reached the limit. We are far from the limit but there are tangible results. And there are huge potential. The potential itself “It is a result that did not exist 10 or 20 years ago,” said Amrani, who recently had meetings with government officials in which areas for future co-operation were identified, in addition to real estate and tourism, where they are already “running”.

“I think the number one issue should be cooperation in the field of energy and infrastructure. Two should be food security – lessons of the Ukrainian war – so that we have enough oil, enough wheat to bake our bread. Also “I think there is room for more cooperation. We do not have to settle for tourism and real estate and say how important it is. We need to invest more in R&D that leads to tangible economic business partnerships.” .

“It is naive to exclude the threat of war”

Asked if he expected a war to break out in the “heart” of Europe in the 21st century, he noted that “it’s sad and our hearts are turned to the suffering of innocent people, to the suffering of the Ukrainian people” and expressed hope that we would soon see the end of the conflict in Ukraine.

However, it emphasized that “excluding the threat of war, the exclusion of the use of force or military force to achieve political goals is naive” and “therefore, it is important for countries as part of their national strategies to develop their military capabilities at least for self-defense “.

“Wars are part of the history of our culture. Having more than 70 years of relative peace in Europe does not mean that wars have been ruled out as a political tool. Europe has been saved from wars especially after the terrible World War II. “Other parts of the world are no less relevant than Europe. There have been wars in the Middle East, there have been wars in Africa, there have been wars in Asia.”

“Russia can not get into the corner after the war”

Asked if the next day, after the end of the war, could lead to the isolation of Russia and a new kind of “cold war”, Mr. Amrani replied that “it is too early to draw conclusions and describe what it will be like. “After the end of the war in Ukraine” as “the dust has not settled and the war is not over” and stresses that “there is no reason to turn Russia into a stable, permanent enemy of the West”.

“Russia is an important country in the world, a country with a tradition, history and relevance to world affairs. Once the war is over, when there is a political agreement on the crisis, it is wrong to alienate or bring a country to its knees.” “There is an international community and within the international community for our own benefit we must maintain balance and Russia must be part of the global balance. It can not be cornered, it must not be ignored and it must not be to be deleted”.

“Anyone who can help with the negotiations is welcome”

Commenting on Turkey’s mediation in the Ukraine-Russia negotiations, Mr. Amrani stressed that he, as an Israeli, believes in direct negotiations, but anyone who can help bring the two sides closer is welcome.

“I believe that the parties and countries involved in any conflict should negotiate directly with each other. There is, however, a role of mediators. Israel played this role in the beginning, now Turkey plays it. If the parties are happy with this mediation “I do not see any worries or problems. Anyone who can help bring the two warring parties, Russia and Ukraine, to the negotiating table and resolve their differences is more than welcome.”