The Athens Energy Summit took place Thursday in central Athens with ambitious declarations about Greece’s place in Europe’s evolving energy landscape, even as officials acknowledged that turning political strategy into market reality remains a work in progress. Washington meeting set for late FebruaryThe planned ministerial meeting in Washington will bring together the energy ministers of the five countries participating in the Vertical Corridor initiative. Announced jointly by Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and U.S. energy officials, the meeting is being framed as a critical step toward moving from political declarations to binding agreements. Tsafos on Greece’s energy landscapeDeputy Energy Minister Nikos Tsafos outlined what he described as the three pillars of Greece’s energy strategy: resources, geography, and governance. Tsafos said during the Athens Energy Summit that Greece intends to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration while continuing its push into renewable energy.