Exarchou: The Vertical Corridor Transforms Greece into Europe’s Energy Gateway

Greece on a path of energy upgrade within a new geopolitical balance

A significant upgrading of Greece’s geopolitical and energy role was outlined by the Chairman and CEO of AKTOR Group and head of Atlantic SEE LNG Trade, Αλέξανδρος Εξάρχου, speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum, in a period of profound transformation in global energy markets.

He argued that Greece is currently positioned in one of the most favourable geopolitical cycles in decades, capable not only of managing the energy crisis but of leveraging it as a driver of growth and international influence.

“The vertical corridor changes Greece’s role”

A central pillar of his intervention was the so-called vertical energy corridor, which he described as a decisive factor in transforming Greece into Europe’s energy gateway.

He stressed that government support for the project, combined with the development of LNG infrastructure, strengthens Greece’s position within the emerging US–EU energy architecture.

“The vertical corridor creates conditions of geopolitical stability and turns Greece into a critical node of energy flows,” he noted.

Greece as a US–EU energy bridge

Exarchou highlighted Greece’s upgraded role as a strategic transit and energy hub bridging the United States and the European Union.

The expansion of LNG infrastructure and deeper cooperation with US suppliers, he argued, is reshaping Greece’s strategic energy footprint.

He also linked this dynamic to Greece’s broader economic trajectory, describing it as “the fastest-growing economy in the European Union.”

Global gas market under pressure

According to his analysis, the global natural gas market is entering a phase of heightened pressure due to geopolitical developments and shifts in global energy flows.

He warned that the reconfiguration of supply routes will increase price volatility, making long-term supply agreements critical for Europe’s energy security.

Warning for Europe: the need for a unified strategy

Exarchou cautioned that the European Union risks exposure to energy shocks and inflationary pressures if it fails to adopt a coherent and unified energy strategy.

“Europe must speak with one voice and secure competitive terms against global powers,” he said, warning of renewed instability if fragmentation persists.

Toward a pandemic-style European response

He suggested that the EU may ultimately be forced to adopt a crisis-response logic similar to the pandemic period, relying on joint financial instruments and centralized decision-making.

A potential new funding mechanism or even Eurobond-type solution, he noted, could help absorb energy shocks and inflationary pressures.

From crisis to opportunity

Exarchou’s intervention frames Greece not as a passive observer of global energy shifts, but as an emerging strategic energy player.

With the vertical corridor, LNG investments, and its geopolitical positioning, Greece is increasingly portrayed as a future energy gateway of Europe in a period of deep international restructuring.

Source: pagenews.gr