Support for Ukraine in the field of energy and post-war reconstruction was reaffirmed by Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis , during the joint press conference with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky , following the signing of the energy agreement between the two countries.
We stand by the Ukrainian people. Greece sided with the defender from the very beginning, against a bloody operation that violates every principle of sovereignty and international legitimacy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized in joint statements with Volodymyr Zelensky, while also referring to the occupation in Cyprus.
As the Prime Minister emphasized, for Greece, the inviolability of borders is non-negotiable, characterizing Athens as a steadfast ally of Kiev.
Mr. Mitsotakis also stated that the relations between the two countries are now acquiring a new critical aspect, that of the new secure energy artery that is being drawn from south to north, from Greece to Ukraine through the Vertical Energy Corridor under development and the Alexandroupolis-Odessa interconnector.
Thus, Ukraine gains immediate access to diversified and reliable energy sources, while Greece now becomes a hub for supplying Central and Eastern Europe with American liquefied natural gas. It is a decisive contribution to energy stability, resilience and security. This is a plan that is now becoming possible after very systematic work by the Greek government, thanks to Greece's geographical location, infrastructure and strategic partnerships, mainly those concluded in Athens in the context of the very important ministerial meeting on transatlantic energy cooperation just last week, the Prime Minister underlined.
He added that these agreements indicate that our country is internationally recognized as a point of reference in the wider regionwhile at the same time referring to the declaration of intent for the natural gas sales agreement signed by DEPA and Neftogaz to cover the immediate needs of Ukraine to face the challenges of a difficult winter. This agreement follows on from and implements the agreements of the previous week for the securing and supply of American natural gas. We are essentially talking about the immediate activation of the Vertical Corridor connecting Greece with Ukraine, while at the same time I want to make a mention of the agreement signed by GEK TERNA with Ucranico Energy. This also marks the additional implementation of a pumped storage project that will stabilize Ukraine's energy network, the Prime Minister added.
Greece thus becomes a provider of energy security for your homeland and undoubtedly all of these are catalytic developments on the road to definitive de-dependence on Russian natural gas. Because Europe will stop buying Russian natural gas which will no longer be able to enter our continent in disguise, with our country taking the lead in regional initiatives with this goal, with Alexandroupolis as its spearhead, the key point, through which allied and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is already passing, underlined Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The Prime Minister also referred to the further prospects of bilateral cooperation and to our assistance in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Greek companies that have know-how and experience should contribute decisively to this titanic effort to reconstruct your country in order to close the wounds of the war as soon as possible. We will be present both in the construction sector through a partnership of public and private entities, as well as in the fields of health digitization and the protection of your cultural monuments.
For his part, the Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude to Greece for its continuous, substantial and multi-level support to Ukraine.
As he said, we particularly appreciate your support, amid daily Russian attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
Most of the gas sources have become targets of Russian and Korean missiles and drones. We are constantly renewing our infrastructure, which the Russians are destroying, but it takes time and equipment said Mr. Zelensky. He also stressed that cooperation with Greece is a very important part of the energy package to support Ukraine with gas, while recognizing the important role of Greece as an energy hub.
According to Mr. Zelensky, gas supplies will begin in January, while agreements have been reached for additional quantities of natural gas.
Mr. Zelensky also thanked American companies, ministries, and the US president for their contribution to the energy agreements.
The Ukrainian president called for the continuation of the policy of pressure on the Russian side. The key position is to continue the pressure on Russia, which started this war and did everything to prolong it. All possibilities for a ceasefire were rejected by Russia. So Russia deserves further sanctions and we are pleased with Greece's stance in supporting the relevant EU decisions, he said characteristically
He added that Greece supports humanitarian initiatives to return the children abducted by the Russians to Ukraine while he also referred to the issue of the return of prisoners of war, which, as he said, is a very sensitive issue for us and noted that there are prisoners who have been held since 2014, when the Russian attack began.
