It is a great pleasure and honor to address today's event, which tackles an issue of particular geopolitical and geostrategic importance for our country.
Through targeted and coordinated efforts in recent years, Greece has become a major energy hub, contributing decisively to national and European energy diversification and security. The energy partnerships that are being developed, such as the electrical interconnections – GREGY with Egypt and GSI with Cyprus and Israel – as well as the activities of energy giants Exxon and Chevron in our country, are indicative of Greece's geo-economic and geopolitical prominence. In addition, the operation of natural gas storage facilities, such as the LNG terminal in Revythousa and the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupolis, create the conditions for our country to emerge as a powerful regulatory player in the energy landscape of the wider geographical region of the South-Eastern Mediterranean. The change in Greece's energy mix, with the inclusion of a very high percentage of renewable sources, has changed the mentality regarding energy and has substantially upgraded our country.
It is this diplomatic upgrade, combined with the country's geostrategic position and its leading role in global commercial shipping, that will enable Greece to contribute to the visionary plan for the India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), which aims to become India's gateway to Europe.
I would like to warmly congratulate the Association of Retired Greek Diplomats for taking the initiative to organize today's event. Through your actions, you are promoting Greece's position and prospects in the energy sector in the South-Eastern Mediterranean. Equally important was your previous event, carried out in collaboration with the Diplomatic Academy in June 2024, which concerned an event dedicated to another important issue, the Treaty of Lausanne and minorities.
I also congratulate you on the multifaceted activities of your Association throughout its long history and on your support for our Ministry. The many years of experience you have gained during your professional life are invaluable to us – priceless, I would say. Each and every one of you, representing Greece abroad, has contributed decisively to the implementation of our foreign policy and the promotion of bilateral and multilateral relations, sometimes under difficult circumstances. I invite you to pass on this knowledge and experience to younger diplomats. The presence today in this auditorium of the new Embassy Attaché candidates is proof of your contribution to the younger generation. A contribution that we deeply appreciate. Our common goal is to expand Greece's diplomatic footprint and strengthen its position internationally.
I thank you warmly and wish you every success in your future endeavors.
June 2, 2025