Production Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Panos Skourletis held a meeting with US Ambassador to Greece David Pearce in Athens yesterday, during which the officials exchanged thoughts on the state of the Greek economy, conditions needed to attract foreign investment, as well as Greek energy matters.

On energy, the two officials discussed developments concerning the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) project – to primarily carry Azeri natural gas to Europe via two EU member states, Greece and Italy – as well as the IGB pipeline, which will interconnect the Greek and Bulgarian gas systems.

Highlighting the change of direction at the energy ministry since the recent replacement of hard-line leftist Panayiotis Lafazanis from its leadership, a plan for a new Greek-Russian pipeline plan, fundamental in Lafazanis’s agenda, was just briefly mentioned during yesterday’s meeting.

Skourletis emphasized the Greek government’s effort to ensure energy security and multiple energy sources for Greece. The energy minister made particular note of the country’s objective to reinforce its role as an energy hub, which is expected to benefit Greece and contribute to the wider region’s geopolitical and economic stability.

Energy issues concerning Greece and the USA will be discussed in greater detail by the Greek energy minister and Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, who is expected in Greece imminently.