The adoption of Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act by the United States Senate Foreign Affairs Committee is, according to Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, an important step towards strengthening energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In his post, the Greek minister said this development constitutes a "strong vote of confidence" in the strategic importance of the region in the context of the new energy security architecture formed by Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States.
Papastavrou linked the adoption of the bill to recent contacts in Houston, where the 3+1 Energy Ministerial Dialogue was held, as well as the establishment of the East Med Energy Center (EMEC), a new institution which, as he noted, aims to transform energy cooperation into specific projects, investments and innovation actions.
"The Eastern Mediterranean is developing into an area of stability, energy security and prosperity," the Minister stressed, stressing that Greece will continue to work towards strengthening regional cooperation.
According to him, the aim is for the Eastern Mediterranean to be a bridge of transatlantic cooperation, development and energy resilience, for the benefit of the countries and societies of the wider region.
One step closer to the plenary Congress bill for the Eastern Mediterranean Gate
Another step in the legislative process took the Eastern Mediterranean Gate Bill, known as Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, as it was approved by the Senate International Relations Committee.
The bill, which had previously received the green light and from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, can now be put to the vote in the plenary sessions of the two bodies of Congress.
The initiative seeks to institutionalise the Eastern Mediterranean as a central pillar of US foreign policy and as a strategic link to the Economic Corridor of India, the Middle East and Europe, known as IMEC.
According to the text of the bill, its purpose is to support the role of Eastern Mediterranean countries as a strategic gateway to the Economic Corridor of India, the Middle East and Europe, known as IMEC.
The text provides for increased coordination of relevant US agencies and regular information to Congress on the implementation of the strategy.
The legislative initiative is part of the wider context of the American effort to upgrade the role of the Eastern Mediterranean as a hub between Europe, the Middle East and India, at a time when Washington places increased emphasis on energy diversification, the resilience of supply chains and its strategic presence in the region.