15/06/2026
📌An important milestone for energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean was marked by the signing of the Declaration establishing the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in Houston, within the framework of the 3+1 initiative.
The Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 Energy Cooperation Scheme brought together Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Cyprus’ Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michalis Damianos, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Dr. Yechiel Leiter, and Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Energy Moshe Dayan.
As Minister Papastavrou underlined, “Energy should never be weaponized. Unilateral actions and threats, whether expressed or implied, that undermine regional stability, have no place in our shared future.”
The establishment of the Center is expected to further promote innovation, energy security, and regional cooperation among Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the United States.
During the signing ceremony of the Declaration, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Papastavrou, described the moment as “historic,” stating that:
“Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States are joining forces to deepen our strategic cooperation and enhance connectivity in the Eastern Mediterranean through the establishment of the East Med Energy Center (EMEC). The EMEC will provide a permanent framework for advancing regional stability, energy security and economic cooperation. A framework that will bring together scientific knowledge, academic excellence, the private sector, technological innovation and energy expertise, within one of the world’s leading academic institutions.”