Greek government in talks with US over energy security

The Greek government has held meetings with US officials over the energy security issues amid the Russia - Ukraine crisis that has seen threats of fuel shortages and price hikes.

On Wednesday the Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for Economic Diplomacy & Openness Kostas Fragogiannis discussed energy security in successive meetings with visiting United States officials.

The Greek minister met with US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretaries Laura Lochman (Bureau of Energy Resources) and Gabriel Escobar (Bureau of European & Eurasian Affairs).

One key aspect discussed was the significance of regional cooperation in boosting energy adequacy and security in Europe through the diversification of both energy sources and supply routes, according to a ministry announcement. This included the strategic role of Alexandroupolis and the project for liquefied natural gas, while Escobar discussed the prospects of West Balkan countries' economic development and accession in Europe.

Fragogiannis underlined the importance of connecting energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean with the European energy market. This is a goal which Greece is actively promoting, and which will contribute to the region's broader economic and political stability, they added.

The meetings were attended by outgoing US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, and by Secretary General of International Economic Relations & Extroversion Ioannis Smyrlis, who also heads Enterprise Greece, Greece's trade promotion agency.

The meetings follow the recent trilateral meeting between the foreign affairs ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Israel in Athens on Tuesday.

Foreign Affairs Ministers Yair Lapid of Israel and of Cyprus Republic Ioannis Kasoulides met with their Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias at the ministry's 'Ioannis Kapodistrias' hall.

The ministers focused on further strengthening their close cooperation in various fields, such as energy, civil protection, the economy and the fight against terrorism, with the ultimate aim of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean. They also discussed security challenges in the broader region, as well as the scope for expanding co-operation with other countries.

Dendias first held separate meetings with each counterpart, followed by expanded talks by the three countries' delegations.

This trilateral meeting is a follow-up to the one held in Jerusalem in August 2021, and the trilateral summit of state leaders held in December, also in Jerusalem.