A renewed push to strengthen energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean is being sought through the joint declaration of the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), held in Washington under the auspices and with strong political backing from the United States.
The meeting was chaired by Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, following a joint invitation with his US counterpart Chris Wright, and was attended by the energy ministers of Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine. The European Union, the United States and the World Bank participated as observers.
The ministerial meeting marks the revival of a regional cooperation framework that had faded in recent years due to geopolitical developments and shifting global energy priorities, as well as Washington’s clear intention to play a more active role in shaping the region’s energy architecture.
The declaration underlines the “continued commitment of the United States to promoting dialogue to enhance energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean,” a signal interpreted as a political investment in the region’s stability and strategic importance.
Particular significance is attached to the reference to “full respect for the rights of members over their natural resources, in accordance with international law” – a formulation carrying political weight for countries such as Cyprus and Greece at a time when energy planning in the Eastern Mediterranean continues to be influenced by regional tensions and rivalries. At the same time, the text does not indicate a confrontational stance towards Turkey, which continues to assert unilateral claims in the region.
“The sustained political will and commitment to constructive dialogue are essential prerequisites for the benefit of the region and its peoples. In this sense, the meeting marked an important step towards reactivating collective commitment within the EMGF,” the declaration states.
Ministers agreed that the EMGF remains a critical platform for regional and wider energy security, placing emphasis on the creation of interconnected and resilient energy systems based on natural gas. They also reaffirmed the objective of establishing the Eastern Mediterranean as a strategic energy corridor linking the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
The review of the Forum’s long-term strategy was also a central topic of discussion, currently under consideration by the Executive Board, with the aim of reaching a common understanding among member states on the organisation’s future direction.
Participants also expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation between governments, industry and financial institutions through mechanisms such as the Gas Industry Advisory Committee Implementation Groups, seeking more coordinated policies and informed decision-making.
The ministers expressed appreciation to the United States for hosting the meeting and thanked US President Donald Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright for their contribution.
Finally, they stressed that the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing constructive cooperation to strengthen energy security and the resilience of energy systems, while highlighting the interdependence between natural gas and electricity networks at a critical juncture.
