The message that development in the hydrocarbon exploration sector will continue unhindered was conveyed on Monday morning by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, in response to Libya’s verbal admonition to the UN.

At the same time, he stressed that “Greece is exercising its sovereign rights in the field, responsibly and decisively. Reactions are based on invalid and unsubstantiated agreements and are rejected.”

He stressed that “there is one issue under discussion with Libya, that of the EEZ, but it must be settled in terms of international law and international practice. And this is something for which the Greek Government always has its door open. Still, as far as our development plan in the hydrocarbons sector is concerned, it is proceeding normally and decisively.”

“The international energy giants know well where they are investing. They do not make opportunistic actions,” Papastavrou continued meaningfully, when asked about the possibility that European or American companies may be concerned by Libya’s moves, referring to the expected visit of the US Secretary of Energy to Athens on November 6-7, as well as his meeting with the head of the US National Energy Council.

Focusing further on Libya’s announcement, which disputes the median line with Greece, the Minister of Environment and Energy identified the contradiction that even today, on the official website of the Libyan National Petroleum Agency, the international hydrocarbon tender, which is underway, is for marine plots that respect the median line with Greece, which is explained as 90% of Libya’s revenues come from hydrocarbons. “In any case, we are continuing our procedures as usual and the tender is progressing,” he concluded.

Papastavrou was also asked about reports of a “red card” from the Commission for delays in the maritime charters and replied, “There is no red card. There is a comment that nothing had been done until April. Now three of the four necessary stages have been completed.”
There is a warning that there is no sign of a complaint against the Commission.

In particular, he explained that: In April, the National Spatial Strategy for the Maritime Space was adopted. Four maritime units were defined (two in the Aegean Sea, one south of Crete and one in the Ionian Sea). The criteria for the planning of the maritime spatial frameworks were defined.

“What remains now is the preparation of the frameworks, which requires environmental studies and time. It cannot be done overnight,” Papastavrou concluded.