EU Regional-policyCommissioner Corina Cretusaid she hoped that Greece would recover and enter a path of growth and development in order to create new opportunities and jobs, including in the energy sector.
In a two-hour meeting with Greek Minister of ProductiveReconstruction, Environment and Energy PanagiotisLafazanisand Deputy Minister YiannisTsironisin Athens on May 20, Cretu welcomed the positive steps taken by the Mediterranean country in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the involvement of Renewable Sources (RES) in the country’s energy balance, as well as energy efficiency and energy saving issues, the ministry said in a statement.
Cretu also met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the Maximos Mansion. The Greek government wants to secure a single agreement with its EU partners which is what Tsipras has repeatedly noted.
During the meeting at the ProductiveReconstruction, Environment and Energy Ministry, Cretu described as very important the energy projects currently being developed, saying she was ready to respond to very specific requests submitted by the Greek authorities for EU support for energy investments.
“At the moment, a lot of new energy projects are being developed in Greece and we strive to make energy investments a pillar of growth to escape the economic crisis,” Lafazanis said, adding that Greece is trying to boost energy interconnections in the Balkans.
See also: Bulgaria, Romania energy deal aims to connect Balkans, EU
The implementation of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is an important project because it will create jobs and support domestic enterprises, Lafazanis said, adding that it will connect to the so-called Vertical Gas Corridor, transferring natural gas through Greece to Bulgaria and Romania.
Political and security analyst Ioannis Michaletos told New Europe that EU capital should normally flow for Greece and the rest of the participating countries in the Vertical Gas Corridor, most importantly the interconnections project. “Of course this by itself does not constitute a strategic ‘paradigm shift’ from current situation which is characterised by the dominance of the Russian gas in the region,” he added.
Lafazanis said the Greek government wants 15 electricity and gas projects to be defined as EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI) since they do not only involve Greece but will contribute to the energy security and efficiency of the Balkans.
He also referred to a project to interconnect the Greek island of Crete to the mainland’s electricity system. The project is also a first step for the interconnection of Cyprus and the more ambitious programme: the interconnection of Europe with Asia – continental Greece, Crete, Cyprus and Israel.
See also: Juncker Plan helps win energy Battle of Crete
http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-backs-greek-energy-plans-investment-hopes/