ATHENS, Greece — Energy ministers from the United States and European nations convened in Athens on Thursday to strategize on leveraging a newly enhanced regional pipeline network to bolster gas supplies to war-torn Ukraine. The meeting, hosted by the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank, saw the participation of U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, over 80 U.S. officials, EU energy ministers, and executives from leading American liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies.
President Donald Trump aims to capitalize on the United States’ status as the world’s leading LNG exporter to persuade the EU to increase its purchases of U.S. gas. This initiative is part of broader trade negotiations, with Europe already being the largest market for American LNG. The EU is also committed to eliminating all Russian gas supplies within the next two years, shifting focus to the Vertical Corridor, a north-south gas route connecting Greece with Bulgaria and Romania.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s strategic geographic position as the natural entry point for American LNG into Europe. ‘The Vertical Corridor is a project of great geopolitical and economic importance to us,’ Mitsotakis stated during talks with U.S. officials. ‘We’re happy that it’s becoming a reality.’