Following the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation Conference (P-TEC) held in Athens last November and the energy agreements signed at the Zappeion Megaron, global energy interest is shifting to Washington, according to sources from the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
With the participation of leading American and European officials from more than 20 countries—including the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou—as well as global energy giants—the ministerial summit organized by the White House and the US National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) is being held today at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on the topic of "Transatlantic Gas Security Summit," chaired by the Minister of the Interior and Head of the US Energy Security Council, Doug Burgum, and the US Minister of Energy, Chris Wright.
As sources at the Ministry of Environment and Energy point out, the summit coincides with the first anniversary of the establishment of the NEDC. It should be noted that the National Energy Security Council is an advisory body at the cabinet level in the United States government, which was established on February 14, 2025, by President Donald J. Trump. It was created within the Executive Office of the President to help shape and coordinate U.S. energy policy with the goal of promoting "American energy independence." It was created within the President's Executive Office to help shape and coordinate US energy policy with the aim of promoting "American energy sovereignty."
Indicative of the importance of today's meeting is that while the initial list included 12 European countries, the final list includes 22. In addition to Greece, the following countries will participate: Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
In addition, high-level officials from the European Union, as well as major energy companies from the US and Europe, will participate. It should be noted that a separate Ministerial Meeting of the Vertical Corridor countries will also be held as part of the proceedings, demonstrating the growing momentum of this energy initiative.
Among the more than 50 companies participating from 13 countries, Greece will be represented by the AKTOR Group, DESFA, ATLANTIC SEE LNG Trade S.A., METLEN, GasTrade, PPC, and the ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group. From the US, energy and investment companies such as Berkshire Hathaway, Cheniere Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Glencore, S&P Global, Shell USA, Siemens Energy, and Woodside Energy Group will participate.
Among many others, representatives of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) from Bulgartransgaz, TotalEnergies, Orlen, and Transgaz will also be present.
The purpose of the meeting, as with P-TEC in November, is to conclude energy agreements between European and American companies, confirming the strong transatlantic cooperation in the energy sector, with Greece leading the way.
"The participation of the Minister of Environment and Energy confirms the important chapter that has been opened for our country in the context of the Transatlantic Energy Conference (P-TEC) and aims to further deepen transatlantic cooperation in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as to strengthen the infrastructure that will enable the energy resilience of Southeast Europe," emphasize sources at the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Papastavrou on the Vertical Corridor: We have turned our geography into geopolitical power
Minister of Environment and EnergyStavros Papastavrou is participating today (24/2) in the Ministerial Conference organized by the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, by the White House and the US National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) on the topic of "Transatlantic Gas Security Summit." The summit is chaired by the Minister of the Interior and Head of the US Energy Security Council, Doug Burgum, and the US Minister of Energy,Chris Wright.
Upon his arrival at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, Mr. Papastavrou made the following statement: "Greece laid the foundations for the Vertical Corridor. With planning, determination, and investment in critical infrastructure, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has turned what had been a prospect for years into reality. We turned our geography into geopolitical power. We turned our international credibility and stability into a magnet for investment and cooperation.
The Vertical Corridor is not just a project. It is a strategic partnership that strengthens energy security, broadens Europe's options, and upgrades Greece's position. Greece is moving forward. With Chevron, with ExxonMobil, with the Vertical Corridor, Greece is growing stronger. And for Greek citizens, this means more investment, more jobs, more money for the Greek economy. But it also means something else.
Greater self-confidence, greater pride in our country, which does not follow developments, but shapes them.