Italy and US agree to boost American gas supplies to Europe
Photo: The US will increase gas supplies to Europe via Italy (Getty Images)
Italy and the US have agreed to deepen energy ties, including increasing supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Europe continues to seek alternatives to Russian energy resources after Moscow invaded Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and US Interior Minister Doug Burgum promised after talks in Rome to promote a "steady and secure" flow of American LNG to Europe. However, the parties did not specify specific volumes or terms.
Investments in infrastructure
The parties stated that they would seek to "encourage investments in LNG import and regasification infrastructure in Italy, as well as export infrastructure in the United States, to ensure efficient and resilient supply chains."
The European Union is already taking steps to phase out imports of Russian gas and LNG. The US intends to increase supplies while the EU breaks its long-standing energy ties with Moscow, which fell after 2022.
Italian side statements
"U.S. LNG contributes to supply security thanks in part to the greater reliability of the route from the United States to Italy and Europe, compared with the geopolitical risks present on other routes," said Pichetto Fratin.
According to him, American LNG plays a key role in strengthening Europe's energy security.
The issue of a possible increase in Italian imports of American LNG was discussed in Washington in April. At that time, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump met.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that European countries should stop buying Russian oil and gas if they want Washington to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow. Wright recalled that under the agreement with Washington, the European Union committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of American energy resources by the end of 2028.
