The leadership of the United States’ National Energy Dominance Council is due in Athens on Thursday and Friday, signaling the strong strategic partnership between Athens and Washington. The council was established by President Donald Trump on February 14 and installed in the White House to signal the change in US energy policy, which he also links to national security, geopolitical power and strategic autonomy.

Its composition in itself is indicative of the US’ strategic plan. The chairman is Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the vice chairman is Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who, together with the Undersecretary of State for Management and Resources, Michael Rigas, are coming to Athens this week to participate in a meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), hosted by Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou.

The arrival in Athens of the heads of this top body underscores the US strategic interest in Greece. The country’s geographical location and energy infrastructure make it a privileged partner in promoting American security and energy interests in the Eastern Mediterranean and a conduit for the delivery of American LNG to Eastern and Central Europe.

This was also made clear by Burgum during his first visit to Athens in September, on the day Chevron’s interest in hydrocarbons in Crete and the Peloponnese was formalized.

A business forum that will take place on Thursday in the context of the P-TEC meet will be attended by leading US companies from the energy sector and beyond. They include ExxonMobil, with a presence in the hydrocarbons of Crete and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region; Cheniere and ConocoPhillips, among the largest LNG producers; as well as EQT, a vertically integrated American natural gas group with activities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio; Venture Global, one of the largest LNG suppliers with four export terminals in Louisiana, FSRU and LNG infrastructure development companies such as Excelerate Energy; as well as Westinghouse, which is active in the nuclear reactor sector.

Source: Ekathimerini.com