Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas met today with the Special Envoy of the United States Secretary of State for Eurasian Energy, Ambassador Richard Morningstar.
The main subjects of discussion were the recent developments regarding Iranian oil exports, energy pipeline issues, and the change in the energy landscape due to the discovery of major natural gas deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mr. Dimas expressed the Greek side’s satisfaction at our country’s exemption from U.S. sanctions on imports of Iranian oil. Also discussed were the various alternative plans for transporting natural gas from the Caspian basin and Russia to Europe; plans in which our country’s geographical position is of decisive importance. Finally, Mr. Dimas underscored that the discovery of natural gas deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean creates major new potential, given that it provides Europe with a valuable alternative energy source and transport route, and that Greece has an important role to play in the realization of relevant plans.
After his meeting with the Foreign Minister, Mr. Morningstar had consultations with the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, Ambassador Y.-A. Zepos.
March 27, 2012