Cyprus Minister of Energy Michalis Damianos, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Greek Minister of Energy Stavros Papastavrou and Israeli Ministry of Energy Director General Yossi Dayan referred to the strategic importance of the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston, Texas, characterizing it as a historic step for energy security, regional cooperation and strengthening ties between the United States, Cyprus, Greece and Israel.
Mr. Damianos said that “the East Med Energy Centre was just an idea in 2019,” the year the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act was adopted by the US Congress, adding that it was “an ambitious idea” that has evolved over the years. “Today I feel privileged to be here for its historic launch,” he said.
The Minister of Energy thanked "all those who believed in the idea and worked for it", describing the Center as "unusual and one of a kind", as it brings together "four allies to work together and seek to strengthen energy and security in our region".
As he said, the Center was designed as a “platform to promote regional energy security, encourage technological cooperation and support the development of the Eastern Mediterranean’s energy resources for the benefit of the region and its partners.” Mr. Damianos also emphasized that it will function as a “platform that simultaneously combines research institutions and tools of regional diplomacy between our countries.”
“Today is a historic day,” said the Minister of Energy, noting that the initiative creates “the opportunity to bring together our universities, research institutions and private sector partners” in order to promote “collaboration in energy innovation, offshore energy development, technology transfer and analysis of emerging geopolitical energy challenges.”
Referring to the broader international environment, Mr. Damianos said that “in the difficult geopolitical times we are living in, this Center is an optimistic message for future cooperation.” He added that the Center “opens new horizons of cooperation” and expressed the certainty that “it will promote energy security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean for us and for future generations.”
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright called the launch of the Center "a great day", saying that the Center connects energy to the Eastern Mediterranean, "the birthplace of Western civilization", which he described as an "emerging energy power".
“This is President Trump’s view of the world,” Mr. Wright said, adding that “we need to use trade to suppress and overcome conflict.” He noted that while geopolitical tensions are often viewed as a “zero-sum” situation, trade is “entirely different” because it is based on “voluntary exchange.”
Mr. Wright said that when countries “develop energy” and create “energy distribution infrastructure,” they “bring countries” and “people together.” He described the three founding states as partners who “want to develop energy to bring better opportunities to their people,” while also seeking to “bring these three states and all their neighbors together.”
"These are generational investments," the American Minister said.
Mr. Wright thanked “Minister Damianos and the entire delegation that traveled from Cyprus,” saying they traveled to Washington for the meetings and then traveled to Houston. “They are partners in launching this initiative,” he said.
Referring to the broader purpose of the initiative, he said that Cyprus, Greece and Israel are “transforming their country,” “the way they view energy,” and “the energy future of their countries.” He added that they are doing so “in a way that connects their countries” and, ultimately, “connects a region through trade, not conflict.”
The US Secretary also said that President Trump is “absolutely committed to energy abundance,” adding that he “wants more energy because it makes people’s lives better,” creates “more opportunities for people today, their children and their grandchildren,” and acts as a “force for conflict reduction in today’s world.”
The launch of the Center was also welcomed by representatives from Greece and Israel. Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou called it a “milestone,” saying, among other things, that “the United States, Cyprus, Israel and Greece” are “joining forces” to deepen strategic cooperation and enhance regional connectivity.
Israeli spokesman and Director General of the country's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Yossi Dayan, stated, among other things, that Israel "strongly supports this initiative" and sees EMEC as a "strategic platform" for energy security, technological innovation and regional resilience.
US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle also called the launch of the Center “truly historic,” saying that Congress adopted the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act in 2019 “to comprehensively redefine American policy toward the region” and deepen ties between “the United States, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus.”
As he stated, the launch of the Center "demonstrates the continued commitment of the United States of America to the region", constitutes "tangible progress in the 3+1 process" and reflects the "clear, shared determination" to turn the shared vision for regional energy cooperation "into reality".
The event highlighted the role that the Center aspires to play as a platform connecting governments, universities, research institutions, private sector partners and investors, with the aim of promoting energy innovation, regional connectivity and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Source: KYPE
