The need for a coordinated European response to the prolonged energy crisis, with targeted and temporary support measures for citizens and businesses through the use of the escape clause, was highlighted by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou at today’s meeting of the European Union Energy Council.
The Greek minister called for the flexibility offered by the escape clause to be used to fund targeted and temporary support measures, in line with the conclusions document secured by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the latest meeting of the European Council.
Greece proposed holding a joint meeting of energy ministers and ministers of finance and economy as part of ECOFIN and Eurogroup meetings, to examine together how the crisis could be addressed within the framework of European rules. The proposal was also backed by Malta, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Romania.
On the acceleration of electrification and the modernisation of electricity grids, Greece expressed strong support for timely investment in modern, smart grids, as well as greater transparency in network charges through the use of time- and location-based pricing signals, while also calling for a degree of flexibility for member states.
During his public remarks at the first session, Mr Papastavrou said, among other things:
“We are facing an unprecedented energy crisis, perhaps the most serious we have ever experienced. The European Council conclusions state verbatim that ‘the current situation urgently requires a coordinated European response with targeted and temporary measures, taking into account the specific circumstances of member states and safeguarding the single market’. Our task now is to turn the decision of our countries’ leaders into action.
Greece was the first country for which activation of the escape clause was approved. We want flexibility for targeted and temporary measures under the national escape clause, so that we can fund energy support measures for our citizens and businesses.
Planning for the future is critical. I would propose holding a joint meeting with ECOFIN and the Eurogroup to examine how we can address the issue within the framework of EU rules.
Timely investment in modern, smart electricity grids is essential. We support more transparent network charges. However, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all solution and that EU rules must preserve sufficient flexibility for member states and national regulatory authorities, taking into account the specific characteristics of national energy systems”.
On energy security, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Vertical Gas Corridor as an alternative supply route for south-eastern and central Europe, as the EU implements its decision to phase out imports of Russian natural gas completely and gradually.
Mr Papastavrou also stressed the need to harness domestic energy resources and preserve the production capacity and competitiveness of refineries, as part of a realistic energy policy that protects social cohesion and economic resilience.
He also strongly emphasised that achieving Europe’s climate targets requires the necessary infrastructure to be developed, pointing to progress on the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection (Great Sea Interconnector), a project of strategic European importance that will end Cyprus’s energy isolation.
The Greek minister highlighted the involvement of French investment company Meridiam and briefed his counterparts on progress in implementing the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection, as well as on the next steps.
On the legislative framework beyond 2030, the minister called for emphasis to be placed on energy security, strategic autonomy, electrification and grid flexibility, while also ensuring energy remains competitive and affordable.
On the sidelines of the Council, Mr Papastavrou held bilateral meetings with France’s Minister for the Economy and Finance, and for Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty, Roland Lescure, and Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and chair of the EU Energy Council, Darragh O'Brien. He also held a trilateral meeting with his Cypriot counterpart, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry Michalis Damianos, and Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen.
The trilateral meeting discussed progress on the GSI, one of Europe’s most important strategic energy interconnection projects, which will end Cyprus’s energy isolation, strengthen Europe’s energy security and contribute to the implementation of the EU’s energy strategy.