US Navy looks for second Greece base at Alexandroupoli port of Greece

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
US Navy looks for second Greece base at Alexandroupoli port of GreeceThousands of soldiers, tanks, helicopters, and other supplies for the US and other NATO forces have used it to get into Eastern Europe

Long having a base at Souda Bay on Crete, the U.S. Navy hopes to have another, at the northern port city of Alexandroupoli, near Turkey’s border, an American military buildup drawing the ire of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Senior US military officials have proposed further deepening and expanding the port with a view to hosting and supplying US Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers that also have expanded electronic warfare capabilities.

The plan, said Kathimerini, could further upgrade the port which has been a reliable alternative to the Bosporus Strait, which Turkey closed to all warships four days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Thousands of soldiers, tanks, helicopters, and other supplies for the US and other NATO forces have used it to get into Eastern Europe, unsettling Turkey, which, while a member of the defense alliance, has bought Russian-made S-400 missile systems and refused to go along with EU sanctions over the invasion.

A key to the plan is upgrading the port that had been underutilized for years and has been to ship weapons to personnel in the Balkans and Europe, the intention now to become a naval base.

Citing Greek media, the Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet said the apparent goal is for American companies to win bids to improve the port where privatization has been delayed, and make it suitable for bigger warships.

The United States has been conferring with Greek officials on the scope, said Kathimerini after Greece’s New Democracy government in 2021 designated the Yanuli headquarters there, only 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) from Turkey’s border as a base for American forces.

HOME PLATE

The US and Greece had renewed a military cooperation agreement that would expand the American military presence and provide an alternative to Turkey, often troublesome, and where there are American forces on a base.

At Yanuli, facilities to accommodate up to 400 people are being built to house American troops who use the port to go to the Balkans and European countries and whose spending has bolstered the local economy.

Turkey is closely following the military mobilization of the U.S. troops in Alexandroupoli but it is not about an intense deployment, sources from the Defense Ministry said earlier, the Turkish paper reported.

While the port has been used mostly by travelers and service providers to the Aegean islands of Samothrace and Lemnos near Turkey, it’s also important to NATO’s eastern flank geographically.

The port would also give the US a key point to track more closely Russian warships that are active in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In August, The New York Times reported how the port has turned into a face-off between competing interests and countries, and businesses with ties to the US and Russia vying for control.

The port is going to be sold and bidders for a controlling stake, similar to the Chinese company COSCO running Greece’s biggest port of Piraeus adjacent to Athens, are four groups of companies – two from the US and two tied to Russia.

“What we have done is transform the port into a dynamic military operations hub,” said Andre Cameron, who oversees U.S. military logistics at the port. “Nothing like it has been done here before.”

Referring to what the war in Ukraine has wrought, Konstantinos Chatzikonstantinou, the Chief Executive of the Alexandroupoli Port Authority told the paper: “Every crisis creates opportunities.”

In the meanwhile, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) on Thursday announced it had received two offers for the acquisition of 67% of the Alexandroupolis Port Authority (OLA), according to ANA.

Offers were submitted by the following investment schemes (in alphabetical order):

1. The consortium of INTERNATIONAL PORT INVESTMENTS ALEXANDROUPOLIS, consisting of the companies BLACK SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP - EUROPORTS-EFA GROUP and GEK TERNA.

2. LIBERTY PORT HOLDINGS SINGLE-MEMBER SA, a subsidiary of QUINTANA INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT.

The process of evaluating the financial offers will begin immediately, as per the terms of the application. The offers of investors meeting the tender's terms will be unsealed at HRADF's next board meeting, following all foreseen procedures.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinationsGreek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Mpb eu

Tornos
  1. 28/03 18:41

    Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups

  2. 28/03 17:32

    Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form

  3. 28/03 15:46

    Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network

  4. 28/03 14:44

    IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece

  5. 28/03 11:49

    IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects

  6. 26/03 23:51

    St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ

  7. 26/03 21:59

    PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination

  8. 26/03 17:56

    Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros

  9. 26/03 11:45

    Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council

  10. 23/03 17:43

    New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31

  11. 23/03 16:49

    Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend

  12. 23/03 16:47

    Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm

  13. 22/03 21:54

    US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever

  14. 22/03 19:51

    High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece

  15. 22/03 19:32

    Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece

  16. 22/03 14:19

    Greece to take part in Earth Hour on Saturday

  17. 22/03 00:24

    Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress

  18. 22/03 00:02

    Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle

  19. 21/03 22:41

    Greek Finance Ministry tightens Golden Visa rules

  20. 21/03 15:33

    Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens

  21. 20/03 22:48

    Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries

  22. 20/03 21:52

    Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens

  23. 20/03 21:44

    Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote

  24. 20/03 20:55

    Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance

  25. 20/03 18:01

    Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece

  26. 19/03 22:28

    President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens

  27. 19/03 20:57

    Greek Tourism Minιster meets Hellenic Chamber of Hotels

  28. 19/03 20:25

    FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy

  29. 19/03 11:15

    Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin

  30. 18/03 22:20

    American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President

  31. 16/03 13:01

    Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens

  32. 16/03 12:56

    Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto

  33. 16/03 11:28

    Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres

  34. 15/03 21:50

    Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania

  35. 15/03 13:45

    PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece

  36. 15/03 12:55

    Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation

  37. 14/03 23:43

    President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava

  38. 14/03 22:58

    American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024

  39. 14/03 22:52

    Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures

  40. 14/03 22:49

    US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki

  41. 14/03 22:43

    Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos

  42. 14/03 19:32

    No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time

  43. 14/03 18:36

    Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday

  44. 14/03 14:48

    HRADF eyes bidders for Lavrio Port majority share

  45. 14/03 12:54

    Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May

  46. 13/03 22:23

    Chairman: 2023 was an exceptional one for AEGEAN Airlines

  47. 13/03 20:11

    Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece

  48. 13/03 19:15

    US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis

  49. 13/03 17:19

    Greece shines at 1st European Cruise Exhibition

  50. 13/03 12:26

    Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony

  51. 12/03 22:46

    Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’

  52. 12/03 21:38

    The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15

  53. 12/03 20:29

    First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki

  54. 11/03 23:58

    Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective

  55. 11/03 23:47

    Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March

  56. 11/03 19:40

    Amadeus acquires travel payments expert Voxel

  57. 11/03 18:49

    Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport

  58. 11/03 17:53

    Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece

  59. 09/03 22:23

    The future of travel planning is multimodal and interactive

  60. 08/03 14:27

    Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth

  61. 08/03 14:24

    Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests

  62. 08/03 14:24

    Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February

  63. 08/03 13:18

    Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday

  64. 07/03 14:12

    Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe

  65. 06/03 22:51

    WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals

  66. 06/03 20:28

    Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector

  67. 06/03 19:47

    Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday

  68. 06/03 18:43

    European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece

  69. 06/03 16:37

    'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved

  70. 06/03 14:40

    Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'

  71. 05/03 14:28

    Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida

  72. 05/03 14:21

    The 'Lent Basket' to be launched in Greece on March 13

  73. 05/03 14:11

    ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023

  74. 05/03 12:24

    Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'

  75. 04/03 22:02

    Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly

  76. 04/03 21:47

    Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary

  77. 04/03 20:27

    Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025

  78. 04/03 19:44

    Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday

  79. 04/03 15:12

    Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background

  80. 29/02 22:54

    Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday

  81. 29/02 21:44

    Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation

  82. 29/02 21:30

    Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points

  83. 29/02 21:03

    Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system

  84. 29/02 21:02

    Greek Tourism Minister meets with Ambassador of Qatar

  85. 29/02 20:47

    Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition

  86. 29/02 19:58

    Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals

  87. 29/02 19:49

    Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF

  88. 29/02 15:39

    'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament

  89. 29/02 12:39

    Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds

  90. 28/02 21:34

    Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night

  91. 28/02 17:31

    CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe

  92. 28/02 17:04

    New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe

  93. 28/02 12:21

    Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024

  94. 28/02 11:57

    24-hour strikes halt trains and ferries in Greece

  95. 27/02 17:25

    UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists

  96. 27/02 15:00

    Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive

  97. 27/02 14:26

    Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world

  98. 27/02 13:15

    Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1

  99. 27/02 12:46

    Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion

  100. 26/02 18:30

    Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April