Advancing Energy Security with Greek Minister of Energy Stavros Papastavrou

Recently, Greece hosted two important energy events: the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) and a historic 3+1 meeting of Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the United States. As the U.S. seeks to implement its vision for energy dominance, Greece has responded by accelerating its own efforts to reshape the global energy system. From opening new LNG import terminals and signing long-term agreements with American LNG exporters, establishing the Vertical Corridor to supply American gas to Ukraine and other parts of Europe, partnering with Chevron to explore natural gas off Crete, and resuscitating the Great Sea Interconnector to link the grid from Europe to the Middle East, the pipeline of America’s global energy dominance increasingly runs through Athens.

To discuss U.S. energy investment and infrastructure projects, Greece’s unique position at the crossroads of an emerging energy dominance corridor, and more, FDD’s Energy and National Security Program is pleased to host Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou in conversation with program director Richard Goldberg.

Stavros N. Papastavrou

Stavros N. Papastavrou is Greece’s minister of environment and energy. He served as a minister of state from June 2023 to March 2024, and was previously head of the Prime Minister’s Office of European Affairs and International Relations. He served as chief negotiator of the Greek state with the European partners and the International Monetary Fund. Papastavrou has held numerous party leadership roles with the New Democracy Party, the European People’s Party, and the Democrat Youth Community of Europe. He was a founding member of the Youth of the European People’s Party in addition to a member of the Political Council of the European People’s Party.

Richard Goldberg

Richard Goldberg is director of FDD’s Energy and National Security Program. During the Trump administration’s transition from late 2024 through August 2025, he helped conceive, launch, and operationalize the National Energy Dominance Council. As its senior counselor, he advised on all aspects of the council’s work, including oil and gas, nuclear power, AI energy infrastructure, and critical minerals. Goldberg served as a national security and international affairs advisor at the Department of the Interior and supported Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in their roles on the National Security Council.