Greece - U.S. Strategic Dialogue Energy Working Group 1st meeting (Athens, 6 August 2019)

Joint Statement

The Governments of Greece and the United States held the first Strategic Dialogue Energy Working Group in Athens on August 6, 2019.  Greek Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Kostantinos Fragkogiannis and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources (ENR) Francis R. Fannon, along with interagency representatives from both countries, reaffirmed the Greek and United States commitment to further deepening our strong bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.  The Energy Working Group builds on increasing engagement following the inaugural Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in December 2018.

The Greek and U.S. delegations emphasized the importance of energy diversification efforts in Europe to promote regional energy security.  They applauded Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and as a regional hub for gas supplies. They discussed potential U.S. private sector investment in the Greek energy sector, opportunities in the oil market, and expanding cooperation in the renewables sector.  To this end, both sides committed to creating a level and transparent playing field to further encourage investment in Greece.

Assistant Secretary Fannon congratulated Greece for near completion of its section of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the continued work on the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria, and plans to improve interconnection with North Macedonia.  Greek and U.S. delegations reaffirmed their support for the diversification of export options for Eastern Mediterranean energy resources that are commercially viable and enhance regional energy security, which could include new infrastructure, such as the East Med pipeline and enhanced natural gas capacity, such as the FSRU at Alexandroupolis. They also discussed the role U.S. LNG can play in meeting energy diversification goals in Greece and the wider region.

During the discussion about U.S. investment in the Greek energy sector, both sides welcomed exploration permit by ExxonMobil in partnership with Total and Hellenic Petroleum as well as potential opportunities for U.S. investment in the renewable energy sector.

The Greek and United States delegations committed to continued cooperation in all of the areas discussed in the Strategic Dialogue Energy Working Group ahead of the second Greece-U.S. Strategic Dialogue this fall in Greece.