Greece’s expanding role as a strategic energy gateway for Europe dominated the 1st Knowledge Forum on Energy and Sustainability, where officials highlighted a wave of agreements reshaping the region’s energy map.
U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle described the recent launch of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) initiative as a "historic milestone." Speaking to over 850 government and business leaders, Mrs. Guilfoyle said the strong turnout underscored what allied cooperation can achieve: "abundant, reliable and affordable energy."
A focal point of the forum was the long-term commercial agreement ensuring the flow of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe through Greek infrastructure. Mrs. Guilfoyle termed it "a strategic achievement that changes the landscape in Southeast Europe," reaffirming Washington's support for Greece’s goal to eliminate reliance on Russian gas by 2027.
She also cited exploration deals by ExxonMobil, Energean, and HELLENiQ ENERGY in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete as critical steps toward energy diversification.
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou credited the ambassador with playing a "catalytic role" in accelerating negotiations.
"She trusted us even before she arrived in Greece," Mr. Papastavrou said.
He noted that while progress on the "Vertical Corridor"—a pipeline network moving gas north to Central Europe—has been strong, challenges remain. These include pending environmental permits for exploration projects and the need to prevent Russian gas from re-entering Europe through side channels.
HELLENiQ ENERGY CEO Andreas Siamisiis urged a shift toward policy "realism." He warned that overly ambitious European regulations lacking practical results "simply move refineries to Turkey and Egypt without real environmental benefit."
Mr. Siamisiis noted that Greece has successfully reduced dependence on Russian gas thanks to its LNG infrastructure—assets that other European nations lacked during the energy crisis. He described the Vertical Corridor as "a philosophy of interconnectivity," citing the reactivation of the Thessaloniki–Skopje pipeline as a prime example.
"There is no dilemma between energy security and the green transition," Mr. Siamisiis said. "We can achieve both with realism and proper planning."