In a rapidly shifting global energy landscape, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum hailed Greece as an “exceptional partner” of the United States, underscoring its pivotal role in ensuring Europe’s energy security and independence.
Speaking at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) conference titled “Powering U.S. Energy Dominance,” Burgum highlighted the importance of strategic alliances in shaping the new international energy order.
Referring to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Burgum noted that “the Greek Prime Minister fully understands the issue of energy independence and is entirely supportive. Greece is an outstanding partner of the United States.” He emphasized that the country has become a crucial hub for American liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Eastern Europe. During his recent visit to Greece, Burgum toured the Revithoussa LNG terminal, where, as he mentioned, “31 U.S. LNG vessels have been unloaded — an expanding facility that supplies not only Greece but also the Balkans.”
Accompanied by Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, Burgum underscored the importance of Greece’s energy infrastructure in securing Europe’s energy supply and strengthening regional connectivity. Papastavrou, for his part, emphasized that “energy independence must go hand in hand with affordable prices for households and businesses.”
Burgum’s remarks reaffirm Greece’s increasingly strategic role in Europe’s transition to energy autonomy and in reinforcing transatlantic cooperation. He also praised the North–South energy corridor initiative, which, along with the “3+1” framework (Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the U.S.), aims to reduce Eastern Europe’s dependence on Russian energy — a factor he described as “more vital to peace than even NATO.”
Further reinforcing Greece’s leadership, the upcoming Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TECC) summit will convene in Athens on November 6–7, gathering 25 energy ministers, including U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. This event cements Greece’s position as a pillar of stability, security, and cooperation in the wider Eastern Mediterranean and European regions.
