Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis had a meeting with foreign diplomatic missions in Athens and briefed them on the Greek initiatives in the research and exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits in Greece.

He announced that the two international invitations for expression of interest in the research and exploitation of Greek hydrocarbons will be published soon in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The first invitation concerns 20 areas for offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete, whereas the second one refers to exploration in three onshore blocks in Arta-Preveza, Aetoloakarnania and Western Peloponnese.

The minister appeared optimistic that major oil companies will express a great interest soon after the two international tenders are published later this month.

He noted that Greece is overcoming the economic crisis and turning a new page with a new production model that invests, among others, in the exploitation of the country’s mineral deposits while protecting the environment and applying the strict regulations and specifications for its protection.