Athens: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the world cannot depend too heavily on energy from any one region, as the Hormuz crisis continues.
Tension with Iran has disrupted supply chains and pushed up oil and gas prices sharply. India has also been affected.
Rubio was speaking at a press briefing in Athens with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis. He said that if the flow of energy from one area stops, the impact can be felt across the world.
He said energy security is directly linked to national security. Countries, he said, must therefore build alternative supply routes.
Hormuz crisis raises concern
Rubio's remarks come as tension linked to Iran and concern over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz continue. The waterway is considered very important for global energy trade.
The US Secretary of State said recent events have shown the need for different supply routes for oil and natural gas. Depending too much on a single trade route, he said, can affect the strategic independence of countries.
For this reason, the US is pushing to strengthen alternative energy corridors and transit networks.
Greece described as key partner
Rubio described Greece as an important partner in this strategy. The US is promoting infrastructure that can carry energy from the Mediterranean region to Europe.
The Greek foreign minister said energy cooperation between the two countries is reaching new heights. He mentioned the Vertical Corridor, a network that could help carry US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Central and Eastern Europe.
The US is also backing an expansion of Greece's LNG import capacity, along with new gas and electricity interconnectors. Activity by US energy companies in Greece is growing too. This includes work linked to exploration for undersea hydrocarbon reserves.
Talks also cover maritime security
The talks were not limited to energy. Maritime security, freedom of navigation and global supply chains were also discussed.
Greece said it would assess the possibility of naval assistance in the Strait of Hormuz. However, this would depend on the situation and on a credible peace initiative.
Rubio also indicated that some sensitive issues could be better resolved through talks than in public.
Both countries are pushing for new energy supply routes. The aim is to reduce excessive dependence on any one region or sea route, and to protect the global energy market from the risks of geopolitical tension.