Bilirakis Highlights Importance of Energy Development in Cyprus to Stabilize Eastern Mediterranean

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Bilirakis was invited to join a joint hearing by the Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy to hear from the administration regarding the increasingly important energy priorities in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

"The energy potential of this region furthers U.S. interests by making allies and strategic partners energy independent, by helping Greece and Cyprus out of their economic crises, by stabilizing Egypt and Jordan, and by incentivizing Turkey to avoid destabilizing behavior in the region," said Congressman Bilirakis. "If this cooperation continues and expands to include other regional actors, natural gas could bring the region together the way coal and steel brought Europe together after World War II."

Members heard from representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Energy on how the U.S. is both furthering cooperation in the region and working to overcome obstacles to energy development.

To read witness testimony, watch the full hearing, and learn more, click here

OPENING STATEMENT

WITNESS QUESTIONS