Greece-and Thrace, in particular-is transforming into an international energy hub. Our country has proven in practice that it can conduct highly effective energy diplomacy, always to the benefit of our national interests," underlined Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his visit to the new Natural Gas Compression Station in the Industrial Zone of Komotini on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister’s full statement was as follows:

"The Compression Station, which came into operation just a few days ago, substantially increases our capacity not only to supply the domestic network but, more importantly, to export greater quantities of natural gas to our northern neighbours.

Greece-and Thrace specifically-is becoming an international energy hub. Our homeland has demonstrated in tangible ways that it can successfully engage in very effective energy diplomacy, always in the service of national interests.

The presence of such a large U.S. delegation in our country last week clearly highlighted Greece’s pivotal role as the starting point of the vertical energy corridor-meaning the capacity to supply, from Greece, gas that will arrive in various forms, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from the United States. This will enable us to supply countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary. You can therefore understand how significant these investments are -investments made by Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator S.A.(DESFA) - which greatly enhance Greece’s geopolitical position. I look forward to even more national achievements on the front of energy diplomacy."

Mitsotakis was given a tour of the station’s facilities by DESFA CEO Maria Rita Galli.
He was accompanied by Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, Deputy Minister of the Interior (for Macedonia and Thrace) Kostas Gioulekas, MP Evripidis Stylianidis, Secretary of the New Democracy Political Committee Kostas Skrekas, and the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Christodoulos Topsidis.