US proposes to modernize Greek armed forces – Ambassador Tsunis

The US commitment to modernizing the Greek military is demonstrated by US-Greece defense cooperation, US Ambassador to Greece George Tsounis emphasized at the 9th Delphi Economic Forum on Thursday.

He mentioned the offer and acceptance letter sent Wednesday to the Defense Department for the purchase of F-35 aircraft, noting that Greece is a very important partner for the United States as it supports NATO's southeastern flank.

Asked to comment on whether the Greeks should be concerned about Turkey purchasing F-16s from the US, Tsunis said the neighboring country has had F-16s for decades, like Greece, and should instead look to the significant improvement in Greek-Turkish capabilities relations, since both countries are NATO partners.

Regarding talk that Greece could participate in the production of the US Constellation-class multi-mission missile frigates, Tsunis said that this is an important issue and negotiations are being conducted sincerely and seriously, but there is no date yet when such cooperation could begin.

Speaking about American investment in Greece, the ambassador noted that his country's leading companies have discovered Greece, and the country offers what American companies are looking for – intellectual capital.

Speaking about energy projects that are already underway or close to completion in Greece, Tsunis noted that the United States views the Vertical Corridor as key, and said that this is necessary in order to stop depending on Russian natural gas and limit the country's ability to use of energy weapons.

He noted that Russian energy exports allow Russia to invade sovereign states. With projects such as the Alexandroupolis Floating Regasification Unit (FSRU), the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the IGB gas pipeline with Bulgaria, Greece is in a key position in efforts towards the energy transition and ending dependence on coal (brown coal).

PS To translate from diplomatic into ordinary language: buy weapons and gas from us. Expensive? But it is democratic.

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