The strategic significance of cooperation Greece – Israel And the promotion of regional energy stability was discussed at the meeting today (18.3.2025) by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou and the Deputy Minister of Energy, Nikos Tsafos with Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem.
Amsalem was accompanied by the Ambassador of Israel to Greece, Noam Katz, as well as an expanded delegation of Israeli energy and infrastructure representatives. According to the announcement by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, at the heart of the debate, in the presence of the Secretary General of Energy and Minerals, Aristotle Aivaliotis and the Secretary General of the Natural Environment and Water, Petros Varelidis, the two -year -olds were elected.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, said: “I am very pleased that the first mission we are welcoming to the Deputy Minister of Energy, Nikos Tsoffos, to the Ministry of Environment and Energy is from Israel, consisting of Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem and representatives from the most important state companies in Israel. Greece’s cooperation with Israel is strategy and multilevel. Our two countries share common goals for growth and stability. Energy plays a decisive role in both levels. As you know, there is an intergovernmental agreement signed by my predecessor, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, in December 2024 and includes the promotion of regional energy stability, as well as innovative energy projects. In this context, I am very pleased to have a first meeting today, so that we can explore specific projects that are part of this collaboration. Growth is of great importance to Greece, because it leads to more and better jobs, you also know that we have under 9% unemployment. Energy plays a primary role. We are very happy to have here today with us, companies from the energy sector, the ports, the infrastructure and I am sure that our next meetings will lead us to specific projects of cooperation between Israeli and Greece companies. “
For his part, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister Navid Amassalem said: “I would like to start, thanking the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou for the warm welcome that kept us here in Greece. We came here with the strongest development companies in my country in the field of security, energy and infrastructure. We believe that it is of the utmost importance to promote relations between Israel and Greece in all areas and to consolidate these relationships. We believe that it is a strategic interest in all our countries to create a corridor between Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Europe. We have observed in the last year great volatility in the Middle East, but I am absolutely convinced and I believe that after the changes and after the Tremph government, Israel will play the role of stabilizer in the region. We consider the need to work with good friends, with Greece and Cyprus, very important to promote energy projects. When I return to Israel, I think it is my mission to promote projects in the energy sector. We have discussed the use of optical fiber during another meeting and we will try to do everything possible to combine everything to consolidate our relations with Greece. Personally, I really like Greece and visit it often. I have come here many times and have enjoyed your country and its hospitality. About a million Israelis come to Greece for tourism every year, the Israelis love Greece. Thank you very much. We hope to continue working together. ”
The delegation of Israeli energy and infrastructure representatives
It is noted that the visit takes place 3 months after the signing of the Transnational Energy Cooperation Agreement in Greece-Israel on December 20, 2024.
Israel’s Minister of Regional Cooperation, Navid Amassalem, is accompanied by senior executives of the country’s business sectors from energy and infrastructure.
In detail the companies per sector are:
Energy
- Israeli Electricity Company-IEC
- Israeli Natural Gas Lines – INGL
Infrastructure
- Energy Infrastructures και Europe Asia Pipeline Co. – EAPC
More specifically:
IEC: OR Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) It is a state -public group that produces and supplies electricity in all Economic sectors of Israel. The government holds about 99.85% of its shares. Its activities include the production, transportation, distribution, supply and sale of electricity to consumers. IEC has and operates 15 power stations, with a total of 50 production units, including steam -powered units, combined cycle, open gas turbines and jet units. IEC’s installed power, on December 31, 2023, amounted to 10,955 MW. The company is working to provide available, reliable and high quality electricity, while maintaining advanced services and maintaining commercial and environmental authorities. By the end of 2023, IEC employed 10,184 employees and provided services to 3,071 million consumers. In the last decade, Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has invested $ 12 billion in Israel’s electricity development. In 2023, Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) revenue amounted to 24,686 million NIS (6,195 billion euros), while the company closed the year with a profit of 2,235 million NIS (560.94 million euros).
Visual: OR Israel Natural Gas Lines Ltd. (INGL) It is a state -owned company, founded in 2003 with the aim of constructing and operating the National Gas Transport Infrastructure. The company has a 30 -year license to fulfill this purpose. This national project is of particular importance to Israel, both because of its impact on the country’s economy and industry, as well as its contribution to improving environmental quality and reducing air pollution. INGL follows strictly international standards in its construction and operation, collaborating with a wide range of international and local professional suppliers, contractors and consultants. Today, the company employs about 160 employees. To date, INGL has installed about 900 km high pressure throughout the country. In 2023, the license of Israel Natural Gas Lines Ltd. It was reviewed to include hydrogen and carbon dioxide, allowing it to deal with the construction and operation of hydrogen transactions, as well as hydrogen -related carbon removal conductors.
EAPC: OR Europe Asia Pipeline Company (EAPC) It is a state -owned company that is an important link in the chain of crude oil supply and energy products for the Israeli economy. Based in Askelon, the company manages energy ports and storage facilities in Eilat and Askelon, as well as an extensive transportation system that extends across the country, from Eilat to Haifa. EAPC ensures the energy security of the citizens of Israel and its international customers, providing critical services in both normal conditions and emergencies. These services include port services, storage and transportation of oil and oil products through a flexible and diverse infrastructure network. The company is based on years of experience and enjoys a strong international reputation in the energy sector. Slow oil – about 75% of crude oil imported into Israel and refined to Haifa and Asdont refineries are discharged to the ports of EAPC. The company is also responsible for the storage and pump of oil to the refineries. Thus, the company actually functions as the energy gate of the State of Israel. Distilled products – about 15% of the quantity of distilled oil products consumed in Israel is imported through the company’s infrastructure.