As tensions in the Middle East continue to fuel concerns over energy security and the reliability of natural gas supplies to Europe, Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou is pursuing a new diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening regional energy resilience.
Since Sunday, Papastavrou has been in the United States seeking to strengthen two key regional energy alliances with Washington’s support. A central focus of his visit is the ministerial meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) in Washington, which marks the forum’s return to high-level political engagement after several years.
Founded in 2020, the EMGF brings together Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, France, Italy, Palestine and Jordan to promote cooperation between natural gas producers and consumers across the Eastern Mediterranean, while the United States, the European Union and the World Bank participate as observers.
As the current holder of the EMGF presidency, Greece is chairing Monday’s meeting under Papastavrou’s leadership. The minister is expected to push for greater cooperation among member states despite political divisions, while discussions focus on regional energy security and alternative gas supplies for Europe. Greece is also expected to advocate for increased use of U.S. LNG and promote the Vertical Gas Corridor as a key route for supplying European markets.
The diplomatic effort will continue on Tuesday in Houston, where energy ministers from the “3+1” partnership—Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States—are scheduled to meet. Greek officials view the alliance as another critical pillar of regional energy security. Ensuring access to natural gas supplies and advancing the electricity interconnection linking Greece, Cyprus and Israel remain the partnership’s two primary priorities.
The “3+1” framework regained momentum last November in Athens during the P-TEC initiative, when an agreement was signed allowing ExxonMobil to join the offshore Block 2 concession in northwestern Greece. The company entered a consortium with Energean and HELLENiQ ENERGY, with the first exploratory drilling campaign scheduled for February 2027.
Strengthening regional energy partnerships remains a key pillar of Greece’s strategy to secure natural gas supplies for both the country and Europe, while deepening its strategic energy ties with the United States. Papastavrou’s visit also comes as Greece reviews a request by Chevron to explore offshore Block 10 in the Kyparissia Gulf, with approval expected in the coming days following a positive recommendation from the national hydrocarbons authority.
