Baku, Azerbaijan, May 9
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
Overseas countries have also noticed the uncertain conduct of the new Greek government, especially in energy projects, being implemented by Azerbaijan. The US joined the countries, trying to bring Athens to its senses.
Amos Hochstein, special envoy for energy affairs at the US Department of State, has recently met with the Greek leadership.
Hochstein urged it to abandon the Turkish Stream project in favor of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, initiated by Azerbaijan.
The US is well aware that the Russian project is a more "political" than an "energy" one. Its implementation does not contribute to the EU objectives - the achievement of energy security through diversification of energy supply sources. Brussels is constantly talking about this.
The Southern Gas Corridor is the most viable solution. The Azerbaijani project is fully consistent with the three main principles of energy security: a new source, the new route, new supplies. Moreover, it can not be used as a lever of pressure on the EU, as it will be controlled by various consortia, rather than one company (as with Gazprom). Several countries can connect their gas to it.
Russia's attempt to create an energy dependent zone of special interest cannot please Washington, the main geopolitical rival.The fact that Greece, on which Europe counts in the issue of supplies, alternative to the Russian ones, openly flirts with Moscow, hoping to receive dividends from all sides, cannot please the US either.
Greece, which is called the cradle of European civilization, ironically, it is now becoming for Europe not the most pleasant neighbor. The principal debtor of the Euro zone does not shun continuing to seek loans from its partners in the alliance, at the same time fawning over Russia in order to obtain a few billion in the Turkish Stream. All these facts, no doubt, jeopardize the energy security issue of the whole of Europe.
The Greeks should remember that their country has been a member of NATO since 1952. That is, the security of the country is directly dependent on the military-political bloc, where the United States plays a major role.
Time will tell whether Greece will heed the advices of the US or continue getting on the nerves of its allies and ruin relationship with them once and for all. It is only clear that Athens will certainly not benefit from the second option.
Edited by CN
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Maksim Tsurkov is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
