US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle emphasized Greece’s strategic role in European energy security at the 1st Knowledge Forum on Energy and Sustainability, titled “Reshaping the Energy Transition.”
“This is not just an energy contract, but a strategic achievement that changes the data in southeastern Europe,” she said, adding that the US supports Greece’s effort to fully end dependence on Russian gas by 2027.
Guilfoyle described the current energy landscape as “historic,” highlighting the P-TEC initiative and the involvement of hundreds of European government and business actors. She stressed the importance of the ExxonMobil-Energean-HELLENiQ ENERGY agreements for exploration in the Ionian Sea and off Crete, noting that the investments reinforce Greece’s role as a gateway for energy diversification in the region. She said Washington sees Greece as a “frontline player” with the potential to become an energy hub for the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Europe.
Guilfoyle also praised Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as a “friend” and recognized his leadership in advancing Greek-American energy initiatives.
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou credited the ambassador with playing a key role in recent agreements. He said cooperation over the past ten months “started dynamically” and is already showing results in LNG, hydrocarbons, and the upgrade of the “Vertical Corridor.” “We are only at the beginning, but a strong beginning,” he said, noting that Greece and the US “speak the same language” on green transition and energy security.