The once sleepy port of Alexandroupolis, in extreme northeast Greece, figures prominently in a major US-led multi-national exercise throughout Europe this month, with the US Military Sealift Command transporting resources – including attack helicopters – for a division-sized deployment.
The port authority of Alexandroupolis, which is up for privatization, has over the past few years found itself directly on natural gas routes, with a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) coming on-line in the near future off the coast.
The use of the port by US and NATO allies for the Defender-Europe 21 exercise comes on the heels of standing attention by American investors in the privatization. Hardware was shown stored and parked at the port, which lies only a few kilometers west of Greece’s land border with Turkey in the Thrace province, and with the river Evros (Maritsa) separating the two countries.
The multinational exercise and Alexandroupolis’ role brought both Greece’s defense minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and the US ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, to the country’s northeast tip.
In statements to the press, port authority president Kostas Hatzimichail said the facility is one of the points in the country where mutually beneficial Greece-US are taking place.
“The port, with the presence and contribution of the United States, is rapidly capitalizing on its geostrategic and commercial character, assuming a primary role in regional developments, such as the creation of new trade and energy routes,” Hatzimichail said.
Exercise Defender-Europe 21 will include nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in a dozen countries across the continent.
Latest News
BofA: Greek Banks Becoming More Appealing
Bank of America (BofA) recently increased its target prices for several Greek banks, with the target price for Eurobank raised to €2.84 from €2.76.
Internet Users in Greece Rise Exponentially, Survey Suggests
Those between the ages of 65 and 74 have shown a high rate of digital engagement, with daily usage over the past five years increasing by 61%.
Vardis Vardinogiannis: ‘On a Ship’s Bridge You Always Look Forward’
Ten milestones in the half century since the creation of Motor Oil Group, as described by Vardis Vardinogiannis, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91
DBRS Says Greek Banks ‘Shielded’ from ECB Rate Cuts
The agency explains that fund disbursements through the banking sector will help offset pressures anticipated on interest margins beginning in 2025, due to expected rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Meta Cuts Facebook and Instagram Subscription Fees by 40%
The social media giant also revealed that it will continue to offer free access to Facebook and Instagram for EU users, provided they agree to see ads based on a limited set of user data.
Skyrocketing Use of Debit, Credit Cards
The total value of the transactions conducted with debit and credit cards in the country in the first half of 2024 rose 2% on the corresponding period of 2023
JP Morgan Revised Greece Outlook to ‘Overweight’
The investment bank notes that Greece is showing the strongest GDP growth in the Eurozone. Additionally, efforts to clear up bank balance sheets are anticipated to yield increased capital returns.
Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, Greek Tycoon and Shipping Magnate, Dies at 91
In 1990, Vardinogiannis was targeted in an attack which involved three rockets fired at his vehicle by the terrorist organization 17 November.
Kudos for Greek Sheep’s Milk Cheeses
Graviera is the Greek version of the Swiss gruyère, and is generally considered the second most popular cheese made in the country after feta
EIB Survey: Greeks Rank Climate Change as Top Concern After Cost of Living
Specifically, 98% of the Greeks surveyed stated that the country must to adapt to climate change, with 60% saying that priority should be given to these adjustment measures