WASHINGTON, DC- by Petros Kasfikis, TO VIMA –
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgumused a meeting in Washington on Wednesday [12/3] to underscore what he described as Greece’s increasingly central role in Europe’s evolving energy landscape, signaling that the United States sees Athens as a key partner in efforts to reshape regional fuel flows and reduce dependence on Russian supplies.
“There is no diplomacy today without energy diplomacy”, Mr. Burgum told Greece’s Energy Minister, Stavros Papastavrou, at the start of their discussion. “And the work of energy diplomacy carried out by you, Minister, by the Prime Minister, and by the Ambassador [Katerina Nassika] is an example of leadership for all of Europe”.
The meeting came shortly after the PTEC energy conference in Athens, where the United States sent its largest delegation to date and where several agreements pointed to a more structured phase of cooperation between the two countries. U.S. officials said Mr.Burgum’s goal in Washington was to translate the Athens announcements into a clearer framework for next steps.
Mr.Burgum, who also chairs the Energy Sovereignty Council, pointed to his recent visits to Greece, including a stop at the Revithoussa LNG terminal, as shaping Washington’s assessment of Greece’s potential to anchor new infrastructure and supply corridors. Jarrod Agen, the council’s executive director, also attended the meeting.
After Mr.Burgum’s remarks, Mr. Papastavrou described PTEC as a turning point that delivered concrete outcomes rather than broad statements of intent. “We have started very strongly, but we still have a long way to go to reach our goals,” he said.
He pointed to a deal between ExxonMobil and HelleniQ Energy that opens the way for Greece’s first major hydrocarbon exploration effort in roughly four decades. He also underscored progress on the vertical corridor, a seven -country initiative intended to move American LNG north through Greece and Bulgaria while reducing regional dependence on Russian gas.
Another PTEC related partnership, involving Venture Global, AKTOR and DEPA, aims to expand the footprint of U.S. energy companies in the Eastern Mediterranean. And the Athens meetings marked the first time the 3+1 group of Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States convened at the level of energy ministers, a development, officials on both sides described as a sign of deeper strategic alignment.
Mr. Papastavrou thanked Mr. Burgum for his engagement and noted that the secretary’s September visit to Greece helped elevate the visibility of the country’s energy infrastructure inside the administration. But he also cautioned that the process remains in its early stages.
The agreements announced at PTEC have created real momentum, but turning them into durable projects will require sustained coordination between Washington and Athens in the months ahead.
Petros Kasfikis is an accredited correspondent covering the White House, State Department, and Capitol Hill for MEGA TV and newspaper To Vima. For the latest political developments from Washington, D.C., you can subscribe to his YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/PKas?sub_confirmation=1
