Greece as an energy hub
Situated in a strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece can fulfil many roles as a link between East and West – both geopolitically and in terms of communications and commerce. The US now regards Greece as its reliable partner for projecting American power in the Middle East, with an important base at Souda, and plans to increase its presence at Alexandroupolis in the northern Aegean. As we reported in a recent post, Greece will play a central role in the proposed new Indian Silk Route which aims to bypass the Suez Canal in transporting goods from India to Europe. With the two undersea electrical connections between Crete and the Greek mainland now in operation and plans for further undersea links with Cyprus and Israel via the Great Sea Interconnector, and with Egypt via the GREGY (Greece-Egypt-Europe) Interconnector, there is the prospect of Greece becoming a critical link in the supply of green energy to Europe. The country became an net exporter of electricity in 2024.

In the gas sector Greece is both a consumer of natural gas from the gas fields of the Caucasus and a staging point in its onward transmission to Europe. At the same time its LNG regasification terminals at Revithoussa west of Athens and at Alexandroupolis enable it to process large quantities of liquefied natural gas from the US and elsewhere, acting as a energy hub for South Eastern Europe.

The role of Azerbaijan
A major source of the natural gas arriving in Greece is Azerbaijan, which supplies 18% of Greece’s needs, while Greece also re-exports gas to other European countries. The gas arrives in Greece through Turkey via the Southern Gas Corridor which consists of the Southern Caucasus pipeline (SCP), the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans-Adriatic pipeline (TAP), with the latter providing onward transmission to Italy.

It is in this context that there is interest in both countries in furthering Greek-Azerbaijani relations in other sectors as well as that of energy. This week, as reported in Haniotika Nea, the Azeri Ambassador to Greece Arif Mammadov was in Crete, paying courtesy visits to a number of local officials at which the possibilities of further cooperation were discussed.

Visit to the Mayor of Chania
On Monday 20th of October the Ambassador was received by the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis. According to a municipal press release:

“During the meeting, which was also attended by the General Secretary of the Municipality of Chania Giorgos Fragiadakis, there was discussion of issues related to the cultural and tourist sectors. The mayor of Chania welcomed the Ambassador, emphasising the importance for the municipality of developing international contacts and fostering relations with friendly countries. At the same time he expressed the willingness of the Municipal Authority to develop further cooperation to the benefit of the local community.

“For his part the Azeri Ambassador thanked the Mayor for his warm reception and emphasised his country’s willingness to undertake initiatives of common interest with the aim of strengthening links of friendship and cooperation.”

Meeting with the Deputy Regional Governor
On the same day the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris also received the Azeri Ambassador, who assumed his responsibilities in Greece two years ago. According to a press release:

“The initial subject of discussion was that of energy, as the Greek market is supplied by natural gas from Azerbaijan. It was emphasised that 18% of Greece’s needs in natural gas come from there, while important quantities of Azeri gas transit through Greece to many European countries, making our country an energy hub [in the region].

“The energy sector is an area for collaboration and connection between the two peoples generally, the Ambassador said, as well as a field for the extension of bilateral relations between Greece and his country. He hoped that further collaborative relationships would be created in the fields of agriculture, education and culture. The Ambassador emphasised that many elements of our culture are reflected in the culture of his country, where Greece has an important position, and referred to two university institutions where the Greek language is taught .

“The Deputy Regional Governor, for his part, praised the outward-looking attitude of Azerbaijan and it’s orientation towards the West in recent decades, as well as its important collaborations with different countries including Greece in critical sectors, with the aim of reinforcing friendship between peoples, security and stability. He referred to the possibilities for collaboration between the two countries in the field of culture, which could make Azerbaijan more widely known in our country as a tourist destination and conversely [encourage] Azeris to visit Greece and Crete.”

Also on Monday, the Ambassador paid a visit to the Mayor of Rethymnon Giorgos Marinakis.

Cooperation in tourism between Crete and Azerbaijan
The following day the Ambassador paid a visit to the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis in Heraklion. During the course of the conversation the two sides discussed the further development of tourist cooperation between Crete and Azerbaijan, cooperation with educational and scientific institutions, and common activities in the cultural field.

Mr Mammadov expressed his admiration at the history and culture of Crete, as well as the high level of hospitality and tourist services which are offered by the island. For his part the Regional Governor thanked the Ambassador for his visit and his interest in developing new areas for cooperation.

During his stay in Heraklion the Ambassador also visited the city’s mayor Alexis Kalokairinos, their conversation focussing on the areas of tourism, culture and education through the creation of a common local agenda, as suggested by Mr Kalokairinos.

Visit to the University of Crete
Also on Tuesday 22nd of October, Mr Mammadov made a courtesy visit to the University of Crete at the university campus in Heraklion. According to a University press release:

“The ambassador met the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Research Policy of the University of Crete Maria Vamvakaki, together with Embassy associate Kostas Karamesinis. During the meeting the Vice Principal presented the work, the structure and the international activities of the University of Crete. There followed a discussion on the prospects for teaching and research collaboration between the University of Crete and academic institutions in Azerbaijan, with particular emphasis on the strengthening of links between the Medical School of the University of Crete and Azerbaijan Medical University.”

Each meeting is described as having taken place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, culminating in the exchange of commemorative gifts.
(Haniotika Nea 20/10, 21/10, 22/10/25)