Among other things, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou, analyzed the importance of the Vertical Corridor, developments in the GSI, the measures being promoted by the Government to support households and businesses, and the current political affairs, speaking to ERTNEWS and the program «NEWSROOM» with journalist Mr. Giorgos Siadimas.
Referring to the upcoming visit of the American Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio, to Greece, Mr. Papastavrou stressed that it “signals the historically high level” at which relations between Greece and the United States stand. As he noted, the visit is taking place during a period of major geopolitical upheavals and is of particular importance, as Mr. Rubio “knows the issues of the Eastern Mediterranean very well” and has highlighted since 2019 the connection between security and energy.
The Minister also underlined the increased American interest in the country's energy sector, referring to the investments of American energy companies in hydrocarbon exploration in Greece. As he said, the upcoming first exploratory drilling after almost half a century by the consortium ExxonMobil, Energean and HELLENiQ ENERGY constitutes a “double vote of confidence in Greece, also because of the cooperation with Greek scientists and companies”.
Regarding reports about pressure on the Greek government, Mr. Papastavrou was categorical that “there was never any issue of pressure or threat against our country to proceed with any action.”
The Vertical Corridor upgrades Greece's geopolitical role
The Minister placed particular emphasis on the Vertical Corridor for natural gas, underlining its geopolitical importance for the country. “It upgrades Greece's role in the region and limits the role of Turkey and Russia,” he noted characteristically, pointing out that for the first time natural gas can move from South to North.
Mr. Papastavrou described Alexandroupoli as a “gateway” for American natural gas toward the Vertical Corridor: “Essentially it is the entry point, it is the foundation of the Vertical Corridor. For decades natural gas flowed from North to South. Now, for the first time, from South to North,” he said.
Regarding the Greece - Cyprus - Israel electrical interconnection (GSI), the Minister referred to the recent entry of France's Meridiam into the project, describing it as a development that confirms its viability. As he stated, after Meridiam's entry on 7 August, the required regulatory and supervisory actions for its entry into the share capital were completed during August and September. “They are moving forward, in a measured way, with a plan, with determination toward implementation,” he stressed, adding that it is a matter of the coming weeks, without however pre-empting the announcements of the company responsible for the project.
Mr. Papastavrou also rejected any possibility that permission from Turkey is required for the implementation of the project, stressing characteristically: “Permission or anything akin to permission, there is no possibility because it is not provided for. Period.”
Support for households ahead of winter
As regards support for households, the Minister announced that next week the government's initiatives for heating oil will be announced. As he explained, due to the great volatility in prices and the geopolitical upheaval, the government is closely monitoring developments, while the heating allowance will be significantly strengthened. He recalled that last year the allowance concerned approximately 1.17 million of our fellow citizens and underlined that it takes into account both the geographical location and the different heating needs of each region.
Referring overall to the energy and geopolitical environment, Mr. Papastavrou stressed the need for continuous presence and assertiveness by the Greek government. “You must pursue the best possible outcome for your homeland. You must be on all fronts,” he said characteristically.
“New Democracy is and will be a popular party”
Commenting on current political affairs and the completion of 52 years since the founding of New Democracy, the Minister described the day as a “day of celebration” for a party which, as he said, remains the dominant political force because it “substantively and consistently places the benefit of the many above the interest of the few”.
“It is a popular party. It was, is and will be a popular party,” he noted, underlining that a political force maintains its influence when it expresses a large part of society.