A State Department spokesperson underscored US support for energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), following a bipartisan congressional push regarding the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).

“ The United States supports energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, including through the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center,” the State Department spokesperson said.

“ The Trump administration remains committed to strengthening key energy partnerships that enhance global energy security and promote a safer and more prosperous future, with energy security for the United States and its partners,” the spokesperson added.

The statement comes after a bipartisan group of members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the head of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the US’ development bank, urging the Trump administration to make the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection a priority. The American lawmakers link the project to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and to US strategic interests in the region.

The State Department spokesperson’s statement follows the agreement signed on August 5 for French investment group Meridiam to become the majority shareholder in the company established to develop and finance the project.