Stavros PapastavrouMinister of Environment and Energy of the Hellenic Republic
Greece's Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, gave an interview to Real News' journalist Spyros Mourelatos, in which he emphasized, among other things, the significant upgrade of Greece's geopolitical power, which was signaled by the formalization of Chevron's interest in the hydrocarbon tender for exploration in the two energy blocks south of Crete and two south of the Peloponnese, where it will participate through a joint venture with Hellenic Energy.
Mr. Papastavrou stressed that this development has significant economic, developmental and geopolitical value and demonstrates in practice that Greece is on the energy map of major international players. At the same time, he pointed out that Chevron's participation strengthens the prospect of exploiting Greece's domestic underwater energy wealth, "in a way that can support energy security and the economy, offering a significant development boost and energy self-sufficiency". Further highlighting the opportunities that this development offers in the direction of exploiting Greece's energy wealth, he pointed out that the prospects of identifying new points for drilling are increased, as the international competition included four new areas, with a total area of 47,000 square kilometers, "which essentially doubles the area of active marine areas for [energy] research".
As he himself emphasized, this development is the culmination of a collective, national, 15-year effort, for which he also thanked the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company.
Referring to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, he emphasized that it is invalid and non-existent, "as our country exercises its sovereign rights unhindered based on the International Law of the Sea", while at the same time underlining that Chevron's participation in the international competition "also functions as a diplomatic deterrent against any attempt to challenge Greek sovereign rights".
Mr. Papastavrou also referred to the recent visit to Greece by the US Secretary of the Interior and Head of the National Energy Dominance Council, Mr. Doug Burgum, his first visit to Europe, and also the first visit by an American official to Greece since the election of President Trump. As the Minister said, this visit demonstrates in practice that the US recognizes Greece as an important ally and strategic partner, “through which dependence on Russian natural gas will be reduced and supply chains will be secured in order to establish a more secure and stable energy future.” He also emphasized that, within the framework of the close bilateral relationship and in the energy sector, the US Secretary of Energy, Mr. Chris Wright, will also visit Greece in the coming weeks, as the next meeting of the Ministers of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) will be organized in Athens in November, with the participation of 20 governments and over 400 officials and representatives of energy companies.
Responding to a question about former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attempting to make a comeback on to the Greek political scene, Mr. Papastavrou stressed that Tsipras should first self-reflect in order for his words to have credibility, as he himself "for years, was the main factor of toxicity, which he even directed in an unfair way against his political opponents and their families".
Mr. Papastavrou also made special reference to the new urban planning reform being planned at the government level, with the cooperation of all the co-responsible Ministries, which provides that the Building Services will be integrated into the Greek Land Registry, "paving the way for a modern, transparent and fully digital building and licensing system".
In conclusion, the Minister of Environment and Energy stressed that Greece has made great progress in energy, going from almost complete dependence on lignite in 2005, it has reached 90% delignitization, with almost 60% of the country's energy production today coming from renewable energy sources.
Mr. Papastavrou stressed that this development has significant economic, developmental and geopolitical value and demonstrates in practice that Greece is on the energy map of major international players. At the same time, he pointed out that Chevron's participation strengthens the prospect of exploiting Greece's domestic underwater energy wealth, "in a way that can support energy security and the economy, offering a significant development boost and energy self-sufficiency". Further highlighting the opportunities that this development offers in the direction of exploiting Greece's energy wealth, he pointed out that the prospects of identifying new points for drilling are increased, as the international competition included four new areas, with a total area of 47,000 square kilometers, "which essentially doubles the area of active marine areas for [energy] research".
As he himself emphasized, this development is the culmination of a collective, national, 15-year effort, for which he also thanked the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company.
Referring to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, he emphasized that it is invalid and non-existent, "as our country exercises its sovereign rights unhindered based on the International Law of the Sea", while at the same time underlining that Chevron's participation in the international competition "also functions as a diplomatic deterrent against any attempt to challenge Greek sovereign rights".
Mr. Papastavrou also referred to the recent visit to Greece by the US Secretary of the Interior and Head of the National Energy Dominance Council, Mr. Doug Burgum, his first visit to Europe, and also the first visit by an American official to Greece since the election of President Trump. As the Minister said, this visit demonstrates in practice that the US recognizes Greece as an important ally and strategic partner, “through which dependence on Russian natural gas will be reduced and supply chains will be secured in order to establish a more secure and stable energy future.” He also emphasized that, within the framework of the close bilateral relationship and in the energy sector, the US Secretary of Energy, Mr. Chris Wright, will also visit Greece in the coming weeks, as the next meeting of the Ministers of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) will be organized in Athens in November, with the participation of 20 governments and over 400 officials and representatives of energy companies.
Responding to a question about former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attempting to make a comeback on to the Greek political scene, Mr. Papastavrou stressed that Tsipras should first self-reflect in order for his words to have credibility, as he himself "for years, was the main factor of toxicity, which he even directed in an unfair way against his political opponents and their families".
Mr. Papastavrou also made special reference to the new urban planning reform being planned at the government level, with the cooperation of all the co-responsible Ministries, which provides that the Building Services will be integrated into the Greek Land Registry, "paving the way for a modern, transparent and fully digital building and licensing system".
In conclusion, the Minister of Environment and Energy stressed that Greece has made great progress in energy, going from almost complete dependence on lignite in 2005, it has reached 90% delignitization, with almost 60% of the country's energy production today coming from renewable energy sources.
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