With a strong emphasis on respect for international law and the sovereign rights of states over their natural resources, the Ministerial Meeting of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), held in Washington under the Greek presidency, reaffirmed the participants’ commitment to advancing a different model of cooperation for the future of the Eastern Mediterranean.
A model that moves away from the logic of unilateral actions and confrontational behavior and is instead grounded in shared interests, agreed rules, and respect for international law, principles that increasingly underpin the institutional cooperation frameworks convening this week across the United States. In the joint communiqué, adopted unanimously by the participating members, it is explicitly recognized that the development of natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean must take place within the framework of international law.
The gatherings bring together governments, international organizations and private-sector stakeholders, highlighting both the United States’ leadership in fostering regional partnerships and Greece’s increasingly influential role in shaping the region’s energy and strategic agenda.
According to Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, the significance of these initiatives extends well beyond the energy sector, as they contribute to the emergence of a new framework for regional cooperation. “We are building a framework of cooperation founded on full respect for international law, mutually accepted values, and commercial rules-a framework that strengthens stability and discourages unilateral and aggressive actions. Our common goal is energy security and the prosperity of our peoples,” he noted.
