The Minister of Energy, Michalis Damianos, during the meeting of the 3+1 scheme at Rice University, highlighted from the beginning the importance of today's Ministerial Meeting of the 3+1 scheme, underlining that the cooperation of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States acquires even greater importance in a period of intense geopolitical upheavals and increased challenges for energy security.
He stressed that the Eastern Mediterranean can play an essential role in diversifying energy supply sources and routes, strengthening the resilience of states and the stability of the wider region. He noted that cooperation within the framework of 3+1 has a strong political basis, as each country contributes with distinct and complementary advantages: the United States with its political support, know-how and investment potential, Greece as a strategic gateway to European markets and Cyprus with Israel through the energy potential of the Eastern Mediterranean.
He made special reference to the significant prospects opened up by the development of natural gas deposits in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Since 2011, 11 exploratory and 4 confirmatory drillings have been carried out, which have led to six confirmed natural gas discoveries, with a total estimated capacity of approximately 20 trillion cubic feet. These are the deposits of Aphrodite, Saturn, Zeus, Calypso, Glafkos and Pegasus.
The Minister pointed out that the presence of international energy companies in the Cypriot EEZ, including leading American companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, is a practical vote of confidence in the prospects of the Republic of Cyprus and the role it can play as a reliable energy partner.
He referred in particular to the progress recorded in relation to the development of deposits. For the Aphrodite field, the plan envisages the transport of natural gas to Egypt via an underwater pipeline. For the Kronos reserve, a process of rapid development is being promoted, with the utilization of the existing infrastructure of Egypt and the possibility of exports to regional and European markets. The utilization of the available infrastructure in the region is a key element of a realistic and workable strategy.
The central point of his intervention was the importance of energy interconnections. The Minister stressed that for Cyprus, the removal of energy isolation is a strategic priority. Electrical interconnections enhance security of supply, create conditions for greater utilization of renewable energy sources and integrate the Eastern Mediterranean into the wider European energy planning.
In this context, he referred to the importance of the Great Sea Interconnector, which can act as a platform for wider regional cooperation, connecting Cyprus and Israel to the internal electricity market of the European Union through Greece, as he said. At the same time, he underlined the importance of supporting the United States towards the implementation of strategic connectivity projects.
The Minister also emphasized the protection of critical energy infrastructure. As he mentioned, modern challenges are not limited to conventional threats. Cyber-attacks, hybrid threats and the risk of physical sabotage call for closer cooperation, the exchange of know-how and the development of joint preparedness and response mechanisms.
A special place in his intervention was held by the opening of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center in Houston. The Minister noted that this is an initiative that started as an idea in 2019, when the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act was adopted by the US Congress, and today it is gaining concrete substance.
He mentioned that the Center is creating a new platform for cooperation between governments, universities, research institutes and businesses. It can act as a catalyst for joint research projects, exchanges of scientists and practitioners, training programs for engineers and regulators, development of common technical standards, and organization of investment forums.
The Minister's message was that the cooperation of 3+1 is entering a new phase of maturity. Political will must be translated into projects, investments, infrastructure and measurable results. Cyprus participates in this effort with specific planning, taking advantage of its geographical position, its status as a member state of the European Union and the close relations it maintains with the states of the region.
