Energy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean will be at the centre of contacts that Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou will have in Washington today.

Mr Papastavrou will meet with the US Secretary of Energy, Mr. Chris Wright and the two ministers will participate in the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) Ministerial Meeting, which is currently being held under the Greek Presidency and co-organized by the US.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Papastavrou will meet with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. Karim Badawy.

In parallel, on June 8 and 9, the Minister of Environment and Energy, along with his American counterpart, will participate in the Atlantic Council’s annual Global Energy Forum, while Mr. Papastavrou will also take part in the East Med Business Forum, which is being held on the sidelines of the Eastern Mediterranean conference.

On Thursday, Papastavrou will travel to Houston, where the ministerial meeting of the 3+1 energy group (Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the US) is expected to take place.

Regarding the EMGF meeting, sources said that the ministers’ meeting will discuss the long-term strategic plan for the development of the EMGF beyond gas, as well as issues of energy security, infrastructure development, investment attraction, regional cooperation and strengthening the strategic position of the Eastern Mediterranean in the new international and European energy environment.

It is recalled that the members of the forum are Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Palestine, France, while the United States, the European Union and the World Bank have observer status.

It is also highlighted that:

– The importance of the EMGF has increased in recent years as Europe seeks to diversify sources and supply routes, while the Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as one of the most dynamic areas of energy development and interconnection.

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– Greece’s participation in the Forum is part of our country’s strategy for:

  • The emergence of Greece as an energy gateway and interconnection hub between the Eastern Mediterranean, South-Eastern Europe and the European Union,
  • the promotion of strategic infrastructure and interconnection projects, such as the Vertical Gas Corridor, electricity interconnections and LNG infrastructure,
  • to enhance energy security and diversification of sources and supply routes for Greece and Europe,
  • attracting investment in the energy, infrastructure and innovation sectors,
  • to promote regional stability and cooperation through joint energy initiatives.