Ambassador Pyatt's Remarks at Elefsina Shipyard | US Gov - July 20, 2020 |
Today's event builds on a long history of maritime cooperation between the United States and Greece, which goes back to the days of the Marshall Plan and the Liberty Ships which came from America and helped to give birth to Greece's world-leading shipping community.
As the Minister has described, we are especially pleased that the United States International Development Finance Corporation has signed a retainer letter with ONEX to pursue the purchase and renovation of the Elefsina Shipyard, building on what Minister Georgiadis appropriately described as the miracle of Syros.
Starting last year, Minister Georgiadis has been the champion of this project, working with the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) the highlight this strategic infrastructure both for the asset it represents but also for the signal that U.S. government support for this investment provides to the broader international investment community. The support which he has achieved reflects the backing of the most senior levels of the U.S. government, including of course Adam Boehler at the Development Finance Corporation but also Secretary of State Pompeo, who is the chair of the DFC board, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, somebody who knows the Greek maritime industry as well as anybody in Washington. In its retainer letter, the Development Finance Corporation highlighted ONEX's record of success in revitalizing the Neorion Shipyard and emphasized the potential of this project to support significant job creation in Greece.
In Greece, the U.S. delegation participated in meetings with senior government officials and toured the shipyard at Elefsina. DFC recently announced a Letter of Interest to provide financing for the shipyard that would support an important energy hub and contribute to regional energy independence. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 directs DFC to work in Europe and Eurasia on energy-related investments.
The delegation visited Kosovo and Serbia to build on the September 4 Washington agreements that established economic normalization between the two countries, a major milestone that will boost economic development in the region. In Kosovo, DFC signed a joint statement with the government and will work to increase private sector investment in Kosovo to strengthen air, rail and road infrastructure; energy; technology and tourism, among other industries.
Memorandum on Delegation of Authority Under the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019
Abiding by American Law ... written in stone.
Statement of policy
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to advance United States foreign policy and development goals by assisting European and Eurasian countries to reduce their dependence on energy resources from countries that use energy dependence for undue political influence, such as the Russian Federation, which has used natural gas to coerce, intimidate, and influence other countries;
(2) to promote the energy security of allies and partners of the United States by encouraging the development of accessible, transparent, and competitive energy markets that provide diversified sources, types, and routes of energy;
(3) to encourage United States public and private sector investment in European energy infrastructure projects to bridge the gap between energy security requirements and commercial demand in a way that is consistent with the region's absorptive capacity; and
(4) to help facilitate the export of United States energy resources, technology, and expertise to global markets in a way that benefits the energy security of allies and partners of the United States, including in Europe and Eurasia.
. (Pub. L. 116-94, div. P, title XX, §2003, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3223.)
The ultimate US assistance is the nudge not to compromise with Vladimir Putin. War was inevitable. The Biden Blitzkrieg got Europe on its knees, the energy market is ours to reap. #texas #LNG
Goddamn Geoffrey Pyatt screwing Europe as US Ambassador to Greece. Fuck the EU.
Ambassador Pyatt's Remarks at ONEX Industry Day commends Elefsina shipworkers
We expressed a commitment to help revive this strategic asset and put this important sector of the Greek economy, and in particular the Attica economy back to work.
I want to commend the Greek government, ONEX but in particular all of the Elefsina shipworkers here today, for the efforts they have already made to make this vision a reality. We already have the success of ONEX's Neorion Syros shipyard to point to, and now the United States looks forward to partnering with Greece to see the revival of both Elefsina and the neighboring Scaramangas shipyards. Today's industry day is another step forward in that process.
The U.S.-Greece trade and investment relationship has reached a historic high. As we look to the future, we see a thriving economic partnership that promises opportunities and prosperity for all of our countries, while also opening doors for opportunity throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Balkans, and beyond.
While there is still much work to do, I am happy to say that we have seen dramatic progress towards our goal of developing the maritime pillar of that partnership as well.
In the Elefsina project, we see the convergence of three of our mutual interests: defense, energy security, and maritime industry.
On defense, let me be very clear, while we are pleased that a robust international competition, among many of America's allies here in Europe has provided the Hellenic Navy with several options for their modernization program, we believe the U.S. Navy's offer, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, to build a scalable version of the Hellenic Future Frigate, what we call the HF2, and to upgrade the Hellenic Navy's MEKO-class fleet, is in the best interests of both of our countries.
....
And let me be clear, the U.S. government stands 100% behind the Lockheed Martin offer. The HF2 would build on a rich portfolio of Lockheed Martin cooperation with the Hellenic Armed Forces, including the F-16s, the C-130s, the P3s, the MH-60 Romeo ASW helicopters, and in the not too distant future, the F-35 fighter.
Moreover, Lockheed's strong network of industrial partnerships in Greece, as well as its robust cooperation with Fincantieri of Italy make me confident that they can deliver on time and on specification for the Hellenic Navy.
Murky waters surround Scaramanga shipyard sale | Business Daily - June 24, 2021 |
How the entrepreneurial map of Greece is changing | OT - Nov. 26, 2021 |
Value of Greek assets causes explosion of business deals
Leaving behind the recession caused by the pandemic, the Greek economy is entering a multi-year upward cycle of strong growth, as the flows from the Recovery Fund and the Multiannual Financial Framework, which will reach a total of 101 billion euros by 2026, provide an unprecedented combined support, at a time when business deals are booming across the spectrum of the real economy, as values collapsed during the 10-year debt crisis, also indicating that the reorganization of the country's business map is in full swing.
Funding
As in total in Greece the financing and the final expenditure in the period 2021-2026 from the Recovery Fund will reach up to 60 billion euros (18 billion euros in grants and 13 billion euros in loans, while up to 29 billion euros concern private funds and Bank loans), while an additional € 41 billion is expected through the Multiannual Financial Framework, the annual financial flows for the country will be three times higher than in the previous 20 years, with these funds even covering the investment gap created in years of the 10-year debt crisis that reached 97 billion euros.
"Oil bombs" from Saudi Arabia via Scaramanga shipyards | eNikos.gr - March 15, 2022 |
Businessman George Prokopiou, who acquired Skaramaga Shipyards, sent a "bomb" message about the energy crisis that exploded due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia's goal is for Greece to be the gateway not only for the country but also to the entire Arab world for Europe. This was emphasized by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih in his speech.
Mission Saudi Arabia
The common conclusion of the two sides from this Greek-Saudi forum is that much has to be done between Greece and Saudi Arabia in the field of investment. It seems that for now we are just digging into this strategic economic cooperation. To understand this, according to the data presented, Saudi Arabia climbed from 26th to 19th place of export destinations of Greek products.
The same conviction expressed by the Prime Minister along with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saoud at their meeting last October, was reiterated by the Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih.
"After Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russia's oil embargo, Saudi Arabia automatically becomes the center of the world to balance energy prices," he said, calling on the largest Arab country to directly increase oil production and supplies. in the global market. to stop the rampant rise in prices that could lead to the collapse of the world market.
"This is the only chance you have to re-establish Saudi Arabia as the leader of the world economy. You have the opportunity to shed light on humanity as Prometheus did. And this is an opportunity that will appear once in a lifetime," he stressed.
Georgiadis: The Elefsina shipyards will be closed if SYRIZA and PASOK do not vote for their restructuring plan
EBEP: Absolute support for the bill for the consolidation of the Elefsina shipyards | OT – June 29, 2022 |
The letter from the Workers Union
With the President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vassilis Korkidis, a delegation of the Shipyard Workers' Union of Elefsina (SENE) met at the offices of the EBEP. The President was present at the meeting. , N. Papanikolaou, the Vice-President, D. Kollias, the General Secretary, Ath. Bersis and the Member, Sp. Kambourakis.
Read also: Elefsina Shipyards: What the consolidation bill provides
At the meeting, all the information on the current developments regarding the Elefsina Shipyards were discussed with the Association, while they officially communicated, with their recent letter attached, to the President of the Chamber, the will of the vast majority of the Association's members to support, with all their the forces, the consolidation plan, as approved by the General Assembly in September 2021.
See the entire letter here
It is worth noting that SENE, with the aim of updating the knowledge field of shipyard workers - its members, proposed the activation, in collaboration with EBEP, of a training cycle in the full range of individual specialist trades such as metalworkers, sandblasters, machinists, electricians, carpenters, sleight-of-hand, firemen, synthetic boaters and "green" craftsmen.
The importance of effort
For his part, the President of the E.V.E.P. noted the importance of the effort to reopen the Shipyards, emphasizing the fact that the accumulated know-how possessed by the shipyard staff is a guarantee for the dynamic recovery of a sector of major importance for the national economy, but also the support of the strongest shipping in the world . At the same time, he underlined the importance of continuous training, since technology today, as he mentioned, especially in the shipbuilding - shipbuilding and repair sector, is making leaps and bounds with an emphasis on "green technologies", given the tendency for the global fleet to gradually become "green" and, therefore, friendlier to the marine environment, and not only, by reducing its environmental footprint.
New US Ambassador to Greece 🇺🇸 🇬🇷
Greece's welcome to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Baerbock Aegean Isles
German and Turkish ministers clash in LIVE press conference over Greece | Breaking Greek Times |
The press conference took a a tense turn when Baerbock reminded her agitated Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu that Greece's sovereignty over its islands is unquestionable and advised Turkey to stop escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, noting Greece's borders are Europe's borders.
"The Greek islands of Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes and many others are Greek territories and nobody has the right to question them," Baerbock has earlier stated in Athens during a joint press conference with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias which infuriated Ankara.
The Baerbock - Cavusoglu press conference, which began an hour later than scheduled and ran for an hour, started off with calm remarks by the two ministers but became increasingly testy as they criticised each other's policies.
According to the media outlet, the Turkish and German foreign ministers soon argued over a range of issues in a tense and drawn-out news conference on Friday, trading barbs over disputes between Ankara and Athens, jailed Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala and Kurdish militants.
Turkey's Mevlut Cavusoglu said Germany had lost its impartiality in mediating between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, adding that it should listen to all sides without prejudice.
Germany must be impartial in disputes with Greece: Türkiye | Hürriyet Daily News |
In both Greece and Türkiye, Baerbock suggested that the NATO members should concentrate their efforts on supporting Ukraine, and singled out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his country's aggression.
"For me, it is clear that we must solve conflicts between NATO partners in dialogue. Disputes in the ranks of the alliance are exactly what the Russian president wants," she said in Athens. "That includes respecting each other's sovereignty.'
Çavuşoğlu said Türkiye wanted Germany to adopt the same "balanced and trusted" attitude displayed by former Chancellor Angela Merkel who had mediated between Ankara and Athens in the past.
As the two ministers exchanged grievances, Baerbock spoke out against Turkish plans to launch a new military operation in northern Syria to push back PKK terror organization's Syria offshoot YPG.
Çavuşoğlu responded: "When our allies tell us they understand Türkiye's (security) concerns, we don't want it to be through words only. We expect them to support Türkiye's legitimate fight (against terrorism)."
Annalena Baerbock flunked her test once again. Sad.
