“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 direction, ”said the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Bob Menendezin his video message shown at the 1st East Macedonia and Thrace Forum organized in Alexandroupolis by the Olympic Forum in collaboration with the Municipality of Alexandroupolis, Energizing Greece and Hellas Journal, examining the region’s role in renewing Greece’s geopolitical footprint.

Bob Menendez expressed satisfaction with the participation of many outstanding scientists, thinkers and business leaders in the forum held in the capital of Evrosemphasizing the decisive role of Alexandroupolis, which functions, as he stressed, “as an important defensive node USA and his NATO and now it is also becoming an energy hub with a new liquefied natural gas plant.”

“Greece’s willingness to lead by example when it comes to energy is not just a definition of moral leadership. It makes great economic sense,” the US senator said, adding:

“Greek innovations in the field of solar and wind energy strengthen your leadership in this field, providing your people with great economic opportunities in the distant future. Your country is showing the world how a clean energy transition puts you at the forefront of innovation. But there is more to be done.”

OUR Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations he said he was proud of his longstanding relationship 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. That is why so many of the laws that I introduced and passed during my time in Congress have focused on strengthening the bond between our two countries,” said Mr. Menendez, referring to the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act, which allows for a new energy hub that will jump-start the region on its path to renewable energy, as well as the U.S.-Greece defense and inter-parliamentary partnership bill), “helping expand an already strong alliance.”

The US senator also mentioned that he spoke with US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm about specific plans that will advance development in this direction, and promised that he will continue to press to ensure that plans are in place, “efforts that will benefit security by making a region less dependent on fossil fuels than Russia and other authoritarian regimes.”

“Therefore, let us continue to build together what we have already achieved,” he stressed, welcoming the joint efforts “to ensure greater security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.”

The conference is held under the auspices of the Olympic Forum, the largest regional development conference in Greece, and is the first attempt to export the principles and philosophy of the Olympic Forum to a specific Greek region.