American investment interest in Greece is at the start of an exciting chapter, US Consul General Jerry Ismail said on Friday, speaking at the Economist Conference "The Third Metropolitan Summit: Greece's New Roadmap after the Election, Building Dependable Partnerships in the Region" in Thessaloniki.
Ismail confirmed the excellent relations between Greece and the United States. He expressed the opinion that whatever the result of the November 2024 elections in the US may be, it will not change the ongoing development of the bilateral relationship.
American companies like Amazon, Cisco, Chubb, Deloitte, Google, Meta, and Pfizer say Greece is home, proving that Greek government policies and American interests agree. At the same time, they have also created several job openings in Greece.
He said the US wanted an even more substantial investment climate and expected stability and predictability.
Speaking of Greek and American interests in the East Mediterranean, the American diplomat said they are aligned and referred to Greece's natural gas projects with neighbouring countries and at Alexandroupolis.
He emphasised that Greece is crucial in promoting collaborations that make the country less dependent on Russian hydrocarbons.
Asked to comment on recent developments in Greek-Turkish relations, the American consul-general welcomed as "very constructive" the meeting of the two countries' leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings recently and reiterated that the United States "always supports this approach between the two countries, which are significant strategic and defence partners."
Their relationship as NATO members can boost collective security, and he added that America appreciates the Greek government's outreach and Turkiye's response.
Consul General Ismail noted that the two countries had encouraged an opening in investment opportunities in the education sector.
He said educational exchanges were at the forefront of the two countries' relations, citing as an example that Anatolia College (a high school) will welcome many American students this year.
Jerry Ismail also underscored the need for an inclusive society and economy. He said that total integration in workplaces and schools - and in all rooms where decisions were made that affected society and the economy - is an obligation for all.
Meanwhile, the Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) will supervise the construction of the natural gas interconnector linking Greece with North Macedonia in the section of the neighboring country, following a government agreement signed in March 2021.
The contract was signed on Wednesday between DESFA and Nomagas, the state natural gas distribution company of North Macedonia after winning an international tender in which 4 companies participated. European Investment Bank will fund the project with 2.475 billion euros.
The pipeline section in North Macedonia will have a length of 68 km, part of an 123-km interconnector project which will be ready by the end of 2024.
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