A new hub for energy collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean has been inaugurated in Houston, bringing together Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the United States.
Speaking at the launch event, held at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, Cyprus Energy Minister Michalis Damianos, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, and Israel’s Director General of the Ministry of Energy, Yossi Dayan, all highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. They described it as a milestone for energy security, regional cooperation, and closer partnerships among the four countries.
Damianos noted that the East Med Energy Center started as “just an idea” in 2019, the same year the U.S. Congress passed the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act. What began as an ambitious concept, he said, has now become reality. He described the Center as unique, bringing together four allied nations to work jointly on strengthening energy security in the region.
He explained that the Center is designed as a platform to promote regional energy security, encourage technological collaboration, and support the development of Eastern Mediterranean energy resources for the benefit of all partners. It will also connect academic institutions, research bodies, and private sector stakeholders, while serving as a tool for regional diplomacy.
Damianos added that the initiative opens new opportunities for cooperation in energy innovation, offshore energy development, technology transfer, and the analysis of emerging geopolitical energy challenges. In a complex global environment, he said, the Center sends a positive message about future collaboration and long-term stability in the region.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright called the launch “a great day,” describing the Eastern Mediterranean as an emerging energy hub and emphasizing the role of energy cooperation in fostering stability. He stressed that trade and energy development can bring countries closer together, creating long-term opportunities and reducing conflict.
Wright also noted that Cyprus, Greece, and Israel are reshaping their energy strategies in ways that enhance regional connectivity. He described such efforts as “generational investments” that benefit both current and future generations.
Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou described the initiative as a milestone, highlighting the deepening strategic cooperation among the four countries. Israel’s Yossi Dayan reaffirmed his country’s strong support, calling the Center a key platform for energy security, technological innovation, and regional resilience.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle also described the launch as historic, noting that the 2019 legislation marked a shift in U.S. policy toward the region. She said the Center represents tangible progress in the “3+1” cooperation framework and reflects a shared commitment to turning strategic vision into reality.
The event underscored the Center’s broader role as a hub connecting governments, universities, research institutions, private sector partners, and investors, with the goal of advancing energy innovation, regional connectivity, and cooperation across the Eastern Mediterranean.
