“I intend to raise once again the issues concerning the role of Greece and also the negative attitude of Turkey, both for the “vertical energy corridor” and for the security and defense of Europe”, stressed the MEP Nicholas Farandouris ahead of a meeting with the new United States Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle.
As he said, he is “in favor of the diversification of sources and energy routes in Greece and in Europe”, because this contributes to energy security and at lower prices. “Yes to diversification, no to dependence on anywhere and anyone”, stressed the Greek MEP.
He characterized Ankara’s role in Europe’s energy security as “destabilizing”, recalling the $300 million legal dispute between DEPA and the Turkish gas company BOTAS, for additional illegal gas charges from the Caspian Sea, a case he had handled as DEPA’s legal advisor and which ended with a victory for the Greek side in the international courts in 2019.
“At the same time, our indifference since 2009 for the East Med submarine natural gas pipeline from the Eastern Mediterranean, which was shelved 4 years ago, as well as the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection which also seems to be shelved after the events of Kasos last year,” noted the Greek MEP.
“Today Turkey, invoking the famous Declaration of Athens for calm waters, is trying to dynamit every energy project. At the same time, it enters security and defense through a bilateral agreement with Germany, i.e. through the back door. If there was a real will to exclude, we should have insisted on excluding companies from countries that threaten the territorial integrity of the EU right up to the final shareholder, as is the case with Chinese or Russian companies,” concluded Mr. Faradouris, noting that “energy, security and defense” go hand in hand.
“Vertical Energy Corridor”: Yes to energy diversification. Not depending on anywhere. Why don’t they proceed pipeline #EastMed and #cable with Cyprus that enhance energy security & diversification? Energy, security & defense go hand in hand. Let’s finally claim them. pic.twitter.com/xAvwdPLTuP
— Nikolas Farantouris (@NFarantouris) November 5, 2025