Greek-U.S. relations and Greece’s enhanced role in the wider Southeast European region were among the topics highlighted by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou in an interview with Fox Business on the program ‘Mornings with Maria’ on Tuesday.

Asked about his meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Papastavrou said that Greece is a strategic ally of the United States in the energy sector and has emerged as a strategic pillar and a force for stability in the region, possessing both the infrastructure and geographical position needed to enable U.S. LNG to reach Southeast Europe and thereby help reduce dependence on Russian natural gas. He stressed that energy security is tantamount to national security.

The minister noted that energy diversification is essential for regional security and emphasized the importance of the Vertical Gas Corridor.

In this context, he added, U.S. LNG reaching Greece through Revithoussa and the FSRU terminal and going from there via Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and ultimately Ukraine, provides the energy diversification that is so necessary. He also explained that Greece is working with ExxonMobil and Chevron to develop Greece’s hydrocarbon sector, and soon conduct the first exploratory drilling operation in half a century, in the hope that Greece will become a natural gas producer in the coming years.

Asked why some European Union member states continue to purchase energy from Moscow despite Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, Papastavrou replied that Russia managed to offer very low prices, and “”many confused low prices with security,” while noting that without security of supply, “you do not truly have low prices” as security of supply is a decisive factor in every country’s energy security.

He noted that the European Union has now committed to completely phasing out Russian natural gas by the end of 2027.

Papastavrou also argued that Greece must capitalize on all of its domestic resources in addition to hydrocarbons, including wind, solar, hydropower, and leverage its geographic location, which could make energy more affordable for Greek households and the Greek economy.

Toward the end of the interview, the Fox Business host remarked: “ You and the Prime Minister’s government have completely changed Greece’s economic story. Congratulations.”

Papastavrou responded: “ Ten years ago, Greece was on the brink of bankruptcy. Today, it is growing faster than many other European countries. Unemployment has fallen from 18% to below 8%. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reduced more than 80 taxes,” he concluded.