Although the subjects of the discussion have not yet been leaked to the press, it is suspected that the topic of the EEZ between Greece and Albania will be discussed, while many energy issues will also be high on the agenda as well. Also, the situation in the Middle East, as well as the Greek-Cypriot-Israeli alliance will also be debated.
In fact the Americans are very interested in this unique geopolitical triangle because of the vast amounts of energy deposits that are suspected of being in the area. Nonetheless, it is well known that Washington does not want to exclude Turkey from the newfound riches, despite the impasse that Ankara is presently facing domestically.
Some analysts view the meeting as a vote of confidence by the US to Greece.
While in the US Samaras is set to meet and hold talks with United States Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary General of the United Nations Ban-Ki Moon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The Greek premier is also expected to visit with several prominent American media companies, the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), David Harris, Greek and non-Greek investors and representatives of the financial industry, prominent leaders of the Greek-American community, , and he is even rumored to go on a pilgrimage the future site of the Church of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero.
The trip by Samaras to the US is in the aim of restoring Greece’s credibility abroad as well as is expecting to analyze economic and foreign policy issues with the American leader and other contacts.
The talks come only several days after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Greece would need a further 11 billion Euros in bailout funding as well as a fresh round of debt relief.
It should be reminded that US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew visited Athens on July 21 and Greece’s adjustment program is certain to be one of the main topics of conversation during the Samaras Obama meeting. However, diplomatic issues, especially given unrest in Turkey, Egypt and Syria, are also reported to also be included on the agenda. Some reports even claim that Samaras and Obama will also discuss the issue of Greece's energy policy, since it is well known that the US is very pleased over the recent Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) agreement which aims to carry Azeri natural gas to western Europe via Greece.
On Saturday and in an interview with the "TA NEA" newspaper the Greek premier denied that he was planning to call early elections in the fall, nonetheless he did not rule out the possibility.
“I do not want snap elections and I will not pursue them,” he noted. “However, the fact I do not want elections does not mean I am willing to accept any kind of blackmail from any interest group. If I feel that I am being blackmailed or pressured the others will bear the responsibility for what happens.”
(Combined Reports)
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