Greece is trying to reconcile its political and defense commitments
to the USA with the cooperation it is pursuing with Russia in the
energy sector. It is no easy task, as it is being brought up against
the often conflicting interests between West and East which, at the
dawn of the 21st century, are largely focused on energy.
Athens
is trying to make use of its gradual entry into Eurasia’s energy sector
for the obvious economic and geopolitical benefits, but while doing so
must create an equilibrium between the superpower’s priorities and
demands on the one hand and pressure from the emerging Russian energy
giant on the other.
An initial reading of the factors at play
would put Greece, a member of the European Union and NATO, in the
Western camp. From many aspects, that is where it belongs. However, the
reality in the energy sector complicates the situation.
Meanwhile,
the USA’s often clumsy interventions, even when they are supporting
proposals that are clearly both of economic and political benefit, such
as the need to diversify energy sources, are a source of aggravation
and sometimes result in opposition.
A typical example was the
recent opening of the TGI gas pipeline at the Greek-Turkish border,
that emphasized the different approaches taken by Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. The lack of
coordination between the two was worrying, particularly at a time when
the situation calls for a national strategy that transcends personal
preferences.
With its sights trained on deepening cooperation
with Moscow and perhaps in a display of bitterness of over the USA’s
failure to support Athens in its dispute with Skopje, the prime
minister’s office made an effort to downplay the presence at the
ceremony of US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, who had worked with the
Foreign Ministry’s bureau regarding the visit.
The Americans,
with Ankara’s keen backing, presented themselves at the ceremony for
the purpose of emphasizing – chiefly for Russia’s benefit – their
supremacy in the region stretching from Azerbaijan, across Georgia to
Turkey and Greece. Bodman, who had visited Ankara, wanted to meet with
Karmanalis but had not scheduled a meeting ahead of time.
It was
no coincidence that the Greek prime minister chose not to introduce
Bodman (Development Minister Christos Folias was forced to avoid
mentioning names, welcoming only “all the distinguished energy
ministers”). Meanwhile, the government made a concerted effort not to
include the US official in the official photograph, as the leaders of
Greece, Turkey and Azerbaijan pushed the button that activated the gas
flow to Greece.
Greece was annoyed that there had been no prior
arrangements; this resulted in absurd situations, such as disagreements
over where Bodman was to sit. Similarly, a distinguished Greek diplomat
called discreet attention to the haste shown by new US Ambassador in
Athens Daniel Speckhard to be present at the ceremony before he had
even presented his credentials to the Greek president.
A source
involved in organizing the ceremony blamed the prime minister’s office,
explaining that if they had not wanted to draw attention to the US
minister, instead of trying to sideline him, they could have invited
Russian and European officials as well.
The ‘Greece’ card
Washington
and Brussels are in favor of the diversification of energy sources, but
also of the transport mechanisms so as to avert the risk of complete
dependence on one country.
The main goal of Western policy is
Moscow, which in turn is pushing for a greater share in the amount of
its energy reaching European markets.
Clearly the Russians are
counting on Greece: A Russian official told Kathimerini that Greece was
Russia’s closest partner among the NATO member states.
Russia wants its own gas to be transported through the TGI pipeline, given the limited amount of gas coming from Azerbaijan.
In
July, Karamanlis agreed in principle with Putin to promote the
construction of a new pipeline, the Southstream project. Construction
is to begin in 2009 and transport 30 billion cubic meters of natural
gas every year from Russia to Europe via the Black Sea, through
Bulgaria, Greece and Italy.
Meanwhile, Russian petroleum will be
reaching the Aegean via the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline. Both
projects will top the agenda for the Karamanlis-Putin talks on December
18 in Moscow.