The importance of the Eastern Mediterranean at the center of global challenges, as well as dangerous leaders, emphasized the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendezin a message sent yesterday to 1st Forum of East Macedonia and Thrace, which organizes the Alexandroupolis Olympic Forum in collaboration with the Municipality of Alexandroupolis, Energizing Greece and Hellas Journal, Michigan. Ignatius. “The Eastern Mediterranean faces many challenges in today’s changing geopolitical landscape. From the threat of climate change and the need for energy security to dangerous leaders in neighboring Turkey or Russia. But the Eastern Mediterranean is also a very promising area,” said Mr. Menendez, calling Alexandroupolis “an important US and NATO defense hub” that is currently “being transformed into an energy hub with a new liquefied natural gas plant.” He also stated that he was proud of his position in favor of close relations between Greece and the United States. “As the son of refugees who came to the United States in search of a better life, I am deeply indebted to the Greek American community for their incredible accomplishments and contributions,” he said.

Mr. Menendez also mentioned Greece’s ability to produce renewable energy and, in fact, noted that he spoke with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm about specific plans that will facilitate this direction, and promised to continue to apply pressure to advance “efforts that will bring security benefits by making the region less dependent on fossil fuels from Russia and other authoritarian regimes.”

Under Secretary of State for Energy and former US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt also spoke at the forum, saying that Alexandroupolis’ role as an energy hub in the region is now undisputed. “Alexandroupolis is no longer the city I was in many years ago,” said Mr Pyatt, who played a key role in making the port a major transportation hub.