The American interest in the energy of the wider Mediterranean area is rekindling, as was evident from the ministerial meeting of the three plus one scheme, in Athens, with the participation of the energy ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States.
In the joint statement of the four countries after the meeting, it is stated that their commitment to promote energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean was confirmed.
The ministers, it added, reaffirmed their support for wider regional connectivity projects, both ongoing and future, in the context of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor.
In addition, they committed to use the 3+1 scheme, in support of the diversification of the region's energy supply, reducing dependence on malicious actors and improving connectivity between like-minded regional partners.
They condemned Moscow's efforts to circumvent oil sanctions to finance military operations in Ukraine.
The ministers agreed to meet in Washington in the second quarter of 2026 to further strengthen their energy cooperation.
On carpet and the electrical connection
The Americans are coming again, with a state presence now in the energy sector and not only at the level of companies, said Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou, speaking to ERT after the meeting with his counterparts.
United States Secretary of the Interior Doug Bergham, a close associate of US President Donald Trump, was also present at the meeting.
According to information from RIK correspondent in Athens, Fanis Papathanasiou, the issue of electrical interconnection was among the issues discussed at the meeting and the support of all participating countries for the project was expressed.
He confirmed the information with statements in the Israeli newspaper
Jerusalem Post
, Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen.
He pointed out that remarkable progress has been achieved in the consultations and the possibility of building a natural gas pipeline to Europe is being strengthened.
He pointed out that, under the Donald Trump administration in the United States, Americans appear more willing than ever to become more actively involved in this great work.
He said that Turkey was excluded from the project, as none of the three involved countries in the region wanted its participation.
Response: Fanis Papathanasiou/Athens
PAF/STS
