A heated confrontation in the Greek Parliament broke out between Stavros Papastavrou and Nikos Androulakis over contracts for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons currently under discussion in Parliament.

The Minister of Environment and Energy accused the PASOK leader of lacking “national unity” and pursuing petty political objectives that prevent him from acknowledging that “the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis succeeded where you failed.”

For his part, Androulakis attempted to return the criticism by invoking the period of the Zappeia economic policy proposals, saying among other things that “the party that was tearing up the memoranda cannot ask for institutional responsibility.”

“PASOK once again failed to rise to the occasion on this national issue. It is carried away by petty political motives. The national interest is the truth, and the truth does not allow subjectivity. You cannot claim that you did everything while we did nothing, when during our tenure seismic surveys increased fivefold. We must all have the courage and generosity to acknowledge everyone’s contribution,” Papastavrou said.

He added that PASOK had mentioned the contribution of Yannis Maniatis, but made no reference to the role of Antonis Samaras and Evangelos Venizelos, nor to SYRIZA, which he claimed abandoned the effort.

“I was the first to acknowledge Mr. Maniatis’ contribution. But if we give credit for the starting point, we must also recognize the journey and the government of Mitsotakis that turned the goal into reality. For the first time in half a century, we will have an exploratory drilling in the Ionian Sea. This is the basis for national consensus, which we should not waste,” Papastavrou said.

He added later: “This agreement brings us closer to hydrocarbon development. It is as if you are upset that we are succeeding where you failed. What is required is national unity.”

Responding, Androulakis said: “The party that bankrupted Greece and spent three years tearing up the memoranda is asking us to show responsibility. You are asking us for responsibility. We have institutional memory, gentlemen.”

Regarding hydrocarbon exploration, he argued that the government of New Democracy (Greece) had done nothing for eight years, while recalling past statements by the prime minister opposing fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

At the same time, he called on the ministry’s leadership to clarify the exact timetable for laying the electricity cable connecting Greece and Cyprus.