Energy ministers from Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States met in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, agreeing to develop a Cooperation Roadmap under the Eastern Mediterranean 3+1 Energy Dialogue and establishing a new working group on cybersecurity and the physical protection of critical infrastructure.
Cyprus Energy Minister Michalis Damianos, Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a Joint Statement following the ministerial meeting, setting out plans for regular working-level contacts in the coming months to draft the roadmap.
According to the Joint Statement, the roadmap will record objectives and actions across areas of common interest discussed at the meeting, including the use, where appropriate, of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Centre. The four countries’ ministries aim to approve the roadmap before the end of the year.
The ministers discussed energy security, offshore natural gas development, energy innovation, research and development, and regional infrastructure and connectivity. They also highlighted the importance of regional connectivity initiatives between Greece, Cyprus and Israel, noting these could generate opportunities for American companies, as well as the significance of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) for strengthening economic resilience and secure supply chains.
They recognised these initiatives as key drivers of economic prosperity through the diversification of energy supply sources.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on energy infrastructure, saying coordination on infrastructure and policy matters could strengthen both cybersecurity and physical security of critical infrastructure, deepen strategic ties and advance regional diplomacy through long-term partnerships.
They also welcomed the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Centre at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, recognising its role in supporting research and policy dialogue among the participating countries and in fostering public-private synergies for innovative energy solutions.
They agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting in Israel at a mutually convenient time. The Houston meeting fulfilled a commitment made in Athens in November 2025, at the previous 3+1 ministerial, to resume work in the United States during the second quarter of 2026.
(information from CNA)