A “historic national success” was described by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, on ERT News television and the “Newsroom” programme with journalist Giorgos Siadimas, the outcome of the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation Partnership (P-TEC) meeting hosted by Greece on Thursday, 6, and Friday, 7 November. “Our country is becoming a central artery of development in Central and South-Eastern Europe, that is, a region of 100 million people, while at the same time we have the containment of Turkey.”
The Minister commented.

As Papastavrou said, “the government, with determination and a plan, moved quickly so that, the American gas that both Europe and America decided to channel to Europe, we convinced our American allies to come through Greece. This has very significant economic and geopolitical benefits. Since May and our first visit to Houston and Washington, D.C., we have suggested to the Americans that substantial decarbonization of Russian gas should be through a country that has both the infrastructure – Revithusa, Alexandroupolis – and the political and economic stability. Our country exploited this window of opportunity, took advantage of its geographical position and Greek shipping.”

Then the Minister referred to the most important agreements signed during the Summit: “First, ExxonMobil-HelleniqEnergy-Energean, for the first exploratory drilling in the country in 40 years, within the next 18 months. Second, agreement on the vertical axis, a central development artery, so that US natural gas can reach Central European countries through Greece. Third, a long-term contract for US gas to Greece with DEPA-AKTOR. In order to wean Europe off Russian gas, infrastructure is needed, and for infrastructure, long-term commitments are needed. All this locked and made our country a co-shaper and protagonist of the developments. Teterton, the 3+1, with the meeting between Greece-Cyprus-Israel and the US, where US support was declared for all the energy connection projects that exist or will exist, the creation of an energy hub, ensuring stability and strengthening the Eastern Mediterranean.”

As for a possible new dependence on US gas from the US, the minister replied, “The policy of the Mitsotakis government is the diversification of sources: renewable sources that bring 50% of electricity, the exploitation of the opportunity to decouple from Russian gas, which would bring American gas, who? Turkey, Poland, Greece, or another country?-, while at the same time we are exploiting our own sources, with hydrocarbon exploration. The goal, energy self-sufficiency, increased national wealth, more jobs, geopolitical security – as the US protects the energy corridor through which its natural gas will pass.”

He also referred to criticism of the Prime Minister’s and our country’s firm position against Russia’s invasion and in favour of Ukraine – “how could we do otherwise, after all, when we have the Turkish invasion of Cyprus” – by some who underestimated it, taking it “for granted” and that it does not bring us any benefit. However, he made it clear that “this position of principle was endorsed, with this very big geopolitical development.”

On the daily life of citizens, the Minister announced that the platform for the heating allowance opens today, allowing citizens to apply until December 5. He stressed that “It is important that every family knows in time what they are entitled to, so that they can safely plan their budget for the winter,” recalling that the allowance ranges from 100 to 1,200 euros for areas with more severe climatic conditions.

He also referred to the “Change Heating System and Water Heaters” programme, which was significantly boosted due to increased participation. “We have increased the budget from 223 million to 650 million euros. We almost tripled the available resources because more than 100,000 additional households showed interest. It is a programme that offers real energy savings and substantial support to households.”

In conclusion, Papastavrou reiterated that the government is closely monitoring international energy prices and will continue to take measures to support citizens so that “the easing of pressures will be long-lasting and no one will be left behind.”