Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s crucial role in energy cooperation with the United States during a meeting on Wednesday (Nov. 5) at the Maximos Mansion with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. The discussion confirmed the strategic nature of Greek-American relations and the deepening energy partnership ahead of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), which takes place in Athens on November 6–7.

The meeting underscored the mutual commitment to strengthening this cooperation and its significance for the energy security of Central and Eastern Europe.

Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s key role in the development of the Vertical Corridor and the country’s energy infrastructure — including the Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis LNG terminals — which together transform Greece into a major regional hub for liquefied natural gas, extending energy access as far as Moldova and Ukraine.

The Prime Minister also underlined the strategic importance of the Greek shipping industry in LNG transportation, noting that the simultaneous presence of ExxonMobil and Chevron in Greece represents a “clear American vote of confidence.”

From the U.S. side, participants included Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, Assistant Secretary of State Jacob Helberg, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, and senior executives from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank (EXIM).

From the Greek side, attendees included Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos, Foreign Ministry Director General Ambassador Andreas Fryganas, Director of the Diplomatic Office of the Prime Minister Ambassador Milton Nikolaidis, Director of the Prime Minister’s Economic Office Michalis Argyrou, and Director of the Office for International Strategic Planning and Communications Aristotelia Peloni.

Opening Remarks by the Prime Minister

“Welcome. It’s a great pleasure to have you here,” Mitsotakis said. “Our Ambassador has been extremely busy since her arrival, as you can imagine. But this is a great opportunity for us to meet during such an important conference taking place in Greece.

“It’s not often that so many senior representatives of the U.S. government visit Greece at the same time. I believe this demonstrates the strength of our strategic partnership and the importance we both attach to the energy cooperation we’re building right now.

“I believe the prospects for future collaboration are immense. Greece is fortunate to occupy a unique geographical position and serves as the natural gateway for American LNG into Europe. The Vertical Corridor is a project of major geopolitical and economic significance, and we’re pleased to see it becoming a reality.

“It’s also very encouraging that American energy companies are already active in Greece. I understand that important announcements are expected tomorrow — including the first exploratory drilling operations in decades. We have a rich agenda ahead and I’m glad that since our last meeting, Mr. Minister, we’ve made great progress on a project of strategic importance to both Greece and the United States.”

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle

“Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister. I must say, I truly enjoy having two meetings a day with you!” Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle said with a smile. “It’s wonderful to be here this morning — and again this evening — with my distinguished colleagues and our Greek counterparts.

“This is truly a historic occasion. I am deeply honored to be here for the sixth annual P-TEC conference, and thrilled that it is taking place in Athens, with the eyes of the world upon us. As I mentioned earlier, this is a historic moment: over 80 senior U.S. officials have arrived in Athens for this important conference, underlining the strength of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Greece.

“Greece has long been a steadfast and strategic ally of the United States. You’re absolutely right — this will be historic. We’ll have announcements related to regional energy stability, with Greece positioned as the energy hub along the entire length of the Vertical Corridor, among other developments.

“I also want to thank you and your team for your strategic and steady leadership in making this vision a reality.”

Remarks by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum

“Mr. Prime Minister, it’s great to be here once again with you and your team,” Secretary Doug Burgum said. “It’s especially rewarding to be here now that we have our wonderful Ambassador Guilfoyle officially in place. What a terrific U.S. delegation we have here — it truly reflects the strength and importance of our long-standing relationship, which continues to grow stronger.

“Energy diplomacy is one of the tools President Donald Trump has used to bring peace to the world. Energy abundance brings prosperity to our peoples — and it can help end conflict in Eastern Europe. As Ambassador Guilfoyle said, this is indeed a historic moment, with peace and prosperity at stake.”

Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright

“Mr. Prime Minister, it’s an honor to be here,” Secretary Chris Wright stated. “Our two great nations share a long history of partnership and alliance across many fields. Energy is life — and when affordable, reliable, and secure energy is lacking, opportunity is limited and poverty spreads.

“Greece is a leading maritime nation and plays a pivotal role in trade across Europe. I also believe Greece will emerge as a leader in artificial intelligence. We’re excited to explore cooperation in energy, AI, shipping, and other key areas.

“Finally, I’d like to thank you for your bold leadership at the International Maritime Organization. Bureaucratic proposals to impose a global carbon tax would have made shipping more expensive. The United States opposed those measures — and we appreciate your efforts in Europe to help keep global shipping free and affordable.”

Remarks by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas

“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” said Deputy Secretary Michael Rigas. “We met just last week at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. I also want to thank you for your unwavering commitment to religious freedom, both here and in Egypt.

“We’re advancing several agreements to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Greece and the United States. We look forward to continuing, expanding, and deepening this historic partnership between our nations.”