Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou has told Fox News that his recent meetings in the United States underscored strong US-Greece cooperation and the central role Greece is poised to play in Europe’s energy transition.

Interviewed on the Fox News Weekend Show, Papastavrou said the two countries “are reshaping Europe’s energy future through close and decisive cooperation,” citing leadership from President Donald Trump’s administration and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Papastavrou noted that Europe had long relied on gas moving “from east to west,” leaving many landlocked countries dependent on Russian supplies. He said Greece is now helping create a “vertical corridor” from south to north – a “corridor of prosperity and peace” – that offers a resilient alternative for Europe’s energy security.

Responding to US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s comment that Greece is the ideal entry point for American LNG, Papastavrou agreed, saying Greece has the right geography, terminals, extensive infrastructure, and strong regional connectivity. He also emphasized that Greece combines political and economic stability with strong financial credentials, noting that its five-year bonds are currently trading at lower yields than those of the US, France, or Italy.

Discussing Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s recent Financial Times article, Papastavrou underlined that the green transition “cannot be an end in itself,” praising Mitsotakis as a leading European voice for energy pragmatism – balancing households’ needs and competitiveness. He said the US views Greece as a reliable, pragmatic partner in shaping Europe’s energy landscape.

On the port of Piraeus, he stressed the importance of honoring agreements with foreign investors but said Greece is also exploring alternative routes and additional port options – such as Elefsina – especially as US interest grows. This comes amid Washington’s efforts to limit China’s influence over global ports. China’s COSCO has controlled Piraeus port since 2016 and recently declared it is not for sale.

Papastavrou added that Greece sits at the center of major emerging trade routes, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), where the country can play a key role in goods transport. As a result, expanding ports and infrastructure remains a top government priority.

He concluded by noting that, for the first time in 40 years, Greece plans to proceed with exploratory drilling. “ExxonMobil is active in the Ionian Sea and Chevron south of Crete.” the minister said, adding early indications are “very promising.” 

Source: Ekathimerini.com