As part of the 30th Anniversary the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE–WHIA) hosted an international summit entitled “Eastern Mediterranean Energy, Maritime Security and Geopolitics Summit” which was held on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Rodos Palace Hotel in Rhodes, Greece. The event under the auspices of the Region of South Aegean brought together legislators of Hellenic heritage, government officials, diplomats, academics, and policy experts to discuss key strategic developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos met with members of the PADEE–WHIA delegation ahead of the conference, welcoming them to Rhodes and highlighting the important role of the Greek diaspora.
“Your presence here is a great honor for Rhodes and for the entire South Aegean,” Governor Hatzimarkos said. “You represent a dynamic and accomplished part of Hellenism abroad—individuals who serve their communities and public institutions with dedication while maintaining a strong and meaningful connection with Greece.
Your commitment to preserving our heritage and strengthening ties with the homeland is deeply valued, and we are proud to welcome you to Rhodes.”
PADEE–WHIA is the only global organization bringing together legislators of Hellenic heritage serving in parliaments around the world, with the mission of strengthening cooperation among Hellenic legislators and promoting closer ties with Greece and Cyprus.
The Summit was officially opened by Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis from the United States and President of PADEE–WHIA “Disagreements over maritime boundaries should never be settled through coercion, military pressure, or unilateral actions. Instead, they should be resolved through diplomacy, negotiation, or international adjudication,” added Raptakis.
Welcome addresses were delivered by Nikos Pavlakidis, Deputy Mayor of Rhodes; Christos Michalakis, Deputy Regional Governor for Strategic Planning of the South Aegean Region and Rear Admiral Georgios Christianos, Director General for Operations, Security and Law Enforcement of the Hellenic Coast Guard at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.
Rear Admiral Christianos stated “The Hellenic Coast Guard places the highest priority on safeguarding security and stability across the maritime domain of the Southeastern Mediterranean. Close cooperation and strong partnerships with neighboring countries are essential to achieving this shared objective.” Admiral Christianos also highlighted that the Hellenic Coast Guard’s ongoing modernization and enhancement through the acquisition of advanced operational capabilities—including new patrol vessels, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and cutting-edge electro-optical surveillance systems—reflects not only its high level of operational readiness but also its strategic vision for the future.
“It is a vision centered on safeguarding the safety and security of citizens, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring the Service remains flexible and resilient in responding to the evolving challenges shaped by the changing geopolitical environment.”
Among the Summit’s three featured panels was one on Maritime Security, moderated by Admiral (Ret.) Ioannis Egolfopoulos. The panel featured presentations by Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, Michael McCormack, Member of the Federal Parliament of Australia, Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario, Canada, and Professor Miltiadis Sarigiannidis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
According to Professor Sarigannidis, the Aegean archipelago and the Eastern Mediterranean represent a critical test of whether regional security will be governed by international law, the peaceful settlement of disputes, restraint, and judicial adjudication, or by coercion and revisionist faits accompli.
He argues that the Greek position offers a coherent and legally defensible framework based on dialogue and good faith, the removal of the casus belli, respect for sovereignty, the protection of international navigation in accordance with UNCLOS, effective deterrence within the limits of international law, cooperation against common maritime threats, and the judicial settlement of maritime delimitation disputes with neighboring states.
Admiral (Ret.) Ioannis Egolfopoulos stated “that, as of early 2026, maritime security in the Mediterranean Sea is increasing Each panel concluded with an interactive discussion, providing elected officials from PADEE-WHIA and participants with an opportunity to exchange perspectives on regional security, energy cooperation, and the geopolitical developments shaping the Eastern Mediterranean. The Summit’s closing remarks and final discussion reaffirmed the visiting legislators’ and parliamentarians’ commitment to strengthening international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation. ly shaped by a complex hybrid threat environment in which traditional naval challenges intersect with cyber warfare, subsea infrastructure vulnerabilities, and geopolitical coercion.
The Mediterranean remains a strategic hub for European energy security and global trade, while the boundaries between civilian and military activities continue to become less distinct. This evolving security landscape presents a range of interconnected challenges”. Retired Admiral Egolfopoulos also added three key points which included:
• Gray-zone tactics: The increased use of ambiguous, below-threshold activities—including coercive maritime behavior, irregular operations, and strategic pressure—complicates deterrence and crisis management by exploiting the space between peace and open conflict.
• Infrastructure risk: Critical maritime infrastructure, including energy networks, subsea cables, and communication systems, faces growing exposure to disruption or sabotage, with potential consequences for economic stability and national security.
• Cyber overlap: The convergence of maritime operations and digital systems creates new vulnerabilities, as cyberattacks can target navigation, logistics, port operations, and naval capabilities, further expanding the scope of maritime threats.
The second panel focused on energy issues and was moderated by Costis Stambolis, Chairman and Executive Director of the Institute of Energy for Southeast Europe (IENE).
The panel featured Dimitrios Kardomateas, President and General Manager of the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources & Saving (CRES), Steve Malagari, Pennsylvania State Representative, USA, Basil Zempilas, Leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party and George Kremlis, an internationally recognized expert on energy, climate, and environmental policy.
Speaking also at the Energy Security segment was Chairman of the Institute of Energy for Southeastern Europe (IENE) Costis Stambolis stressed the crucial role of Greece and Cyprus in strengthening European energy security.
This is achieved through the fast growing contribution of Renewable Energy Sources in the countries’s energy mix, Greece’s expanding regional electricity grid and its new gas corridors to the north.
In view of mounting energy supply concerns because of geopolitical instability, East Mediterranean hydrocarbon reserves in the Greece, Cyprus, Israel axis could help enhance Europe’s energy supply. However, in order to be able to exploit the region’s considerable oil and gas reserves cooperation needs to improve between all East Mediterranean countries, which must agree on their Economic Exclusion Zones( EEZ) as foreseen by International Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS) provisions.
Kremlis said that “Greece is emerging as a major energy hub and has the potential to become a leading green energy hub, thanks to its landmark energy interconnection projects. These strategic initiatives will not only serve Greece but also benefit other European Union Member States through the Vertical Corridor, while contributing to the future reconstruction of Ukraine.
Projects such as GREGY, the Great Sea Interconnector, and EastMed, although supported by the European Commission, require the strongest possible backing from the European Union, as they ultimately serve the EU’s long-term energy security and strategic interests. They also deserve the full support of the United States, as they will help reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian hydrocarbons while ensuring alternative energy sources and diversified energy supply routes.”
Dimitris Kardomateas, stressed the importance of energy independence for the national security and said “that Greece has well diversified energy supplies but the target of full independence will be reached with the development of RES together with energy storage for electricity generation and electrification for the other sectors, with gas and oil having a limited backup role in the end.
This is the vision pictured in the National Energy & Climate Plan of Greece which is under implementation. He also noted the important role of the legislators of diaspora to defend the rights of Greece to develop its energy projects in East Mediterranean, which are obstructed by Turkiye in its broader policy to question our sovereign rights in the region”.
The third panel targeted Geopolitical concerns, moderated by Professor John Nomicos, Director of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS), brought together Marietta Karamanli (Member of Parliament, France), Savet Constantine (Connecticut State Representative, USA), Stacey Travers (Arizona State Representative, USA), Steve Georganas (Member of the Federal Parliament of Australia), H.E. Noam Katz, Ambassador of Israel to Greece, and Panagiotis (Peter) Mihalos, President of the Mihalos Foundation and former Secretary General for International Economic Affairs of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prof. Nomikos said: “The WHIA-PADEE held an excellent conference on the island of Rhodes. Elected officials from Greek Diaspora from USA Canada Australia Africa and Europe were updated on the latest geopolitical development on energy and maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean region!”
Mr. Mihalos added “The future of the Eastern Mediterranean will not be determined by geography alone. It will be shaped by leadership, strategic vision, respect for international law, and the willingness to build trust through dialogue. The region must become a bridge of cooperation, not a fault line of confrontation.”
MP Steve Georganas said: We meet at a time when geopolitical competition is sharpening, when trade routes are under stress, and when the rules that have underpinned peace and prosperity are being tested. For Australia, like Greece, this is not a distant problem. Our national security and economic wellbeing depend on open sea lanes, reliable supply chains, and a stable international order.
Also attending were Member of the Hellenic Parliament Manos Konsolas representing Rodos and Dodecanese islands along with Ministry of the Interior General Secretary General Dimitris Karnavos.
Each panel concluded with an interactive discussion, providing elected officials from PADEE-WHIA and participants with an opportunity to exchange perspectives on regional security, energy cooperation, and the geopolitical developments shaping the Eastern Mediterranean. The Summit’s closing remarks and final discussion reaffirmed the visiting legislators’ and parliamentarians’ commitment to strengthening international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.
