Greece is a reliable partner of increasingly importance and impact in a turbulent region, where peace, stability and welfare are in danger, Greek Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change Yannis Maniatis said at the Centre of Strategic and International Studies in Washington (11.03).

In light of the current geopolitical tensions with Russia and instability in the Middle East, Maniatis discussed Greece's "leading role" in a Europe seeking to boost its energy security and diversify its supply. Greece has taken considerable steps to explore its own energy resource base and develop its energy infrastructure to enhance its domestic energy security.

Maniatis emphasised Greece’s "new energy role" as a natural gas "gateway" in South Eastern Europe, particularly after the creation of the Greek-Bulgarian corridor and the expansion of respective connections to Romania and Hungary. He also stressed the importance of the East Mediterranean pipeline to transport natural gas from the southeastern Mediterranean deposits to European consumers.

Last but not least he pointed that Greece is "developing synergies" between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, including Israel, Egypt and Cyprus, aiming at establishing peace, security and regional cooperation.