Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou set the record straight on the progress of national energy projects, responding to criticism from PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, during today’s parliamentary debate on the bill “Improving the design of the electricity market – transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1711 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001 and (EU) 2019/944, and other provisions”, while also outlining the benefits of the Environment and Energy Ministry’s new bill for consumers and the energy transition.
The minister stressed that distorting reality on matters of national strategy is dangerous and politically irresponsible, adding that the electricity interconnection project, which is of strategic importance to Greece and Europe, is moving ahead steadily.
Specifically, regarding the Greece-Cyprus GSI electricity interconnector, Stavros Papastavrou said it is a Project of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Union (EU), with €657 million in European funding, which will end the energy isolation of Cyprus.
He said the project had received public backing from European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s 25 energy ministers and six American lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, in a letter to the State Department.
The minister noted that the French company had applied for a permit for our area exclusively with Greece, as provided for under international law, unlike what Turkey had sought. He also stressed that Greece alone had issued a NAVTEX.
Mr Papastavrou made clear that the note verbale is purely informational and in no way amounts to a permit application or recognition of jurisdiction.
“You are making arguments that even the other side has not dared to make. This is wrong, dangerous and contrary to our interests. The project is moving ahead; the vessel will set sail with a NAVTEX issued by Greece alone. Until it is completed, we must all stand behind the project, on Team Greece”, he said.
The environment and energy minister then outlined key provisions of the bill, calling on PASOK to state clearly whether it would vote for them:
“Will you support consumer protection, when consumers now have to go to court to be protected from having their electricity cut off? Will you support greater transparency at IPTO and HEDNO? Will you support a 50% reduction in Public Service Obligations charges? Will you support the protection of the Thermaic Gulf?
Will you support the upgrade of the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium? Will you support Kalyves in Evros? Will you support the Archdiocese in its plans for a public-benefit project for older people? You have said nothing about any of these. Will you have the political courage to support measures that protect society?”, he said.