Greece’s Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou addressed the Middle East war, European-level measures for energy cost control, and yesterday’s EU Energy Ministers Council, assuring that “we have tools and measures to address the crisis.”
Papastavrou: “We must learn from past mistakes”
The Environment and Energy Minister spoke on SKAI radio station and initially noted that there are two approaches in Europe: “There are countries that are very cautious about entering into a discussion about measures now, as they believe the crisis may ease soon,” he emphasized, adding that there are other member states, including Greece, “that consider it essential to prepare specific, targeted measures and flexibilities, which will be analyzed and studied now and activated in case the crisis effects are prolonged or intensified.”
According to the Minister, it is important “to learn from past mistakes and improve our weaknesses,” explaining that in the previous 2022 crisis, it took Europe about 12 months to react. He emphasized that Europe has sufficient measures in its arsenal, which “allow for creating barriers against rising energy costs.” “Also, the transition towards a cleaner Europe, a more competitive and sustainable Europe through decarbonization is a direction that must not stop,” he stressed.
Mr. Papastavrou highlighted that it is very important for both Europe and our country that “whatever measures are taken and whatever flexibilities are given, they should not create an image of fiscal loosening that would cancel out this strength and stability we currently have as a country.”
Referring to next Thursday’s EU Summit, he predicted there will be an intense discussion: “I believe Europe must show the right reflexes and be able to send a message to both European citizens and businesses that it is here and will support their efforts. Right now, Europe owes it to its citizens to be ready, regardless of whether the measures will be implemented and applied. It must be something that will be prepared in time and not afterwards.”
“We have tools and measures to address the crisis”
The minister also referred to the grid measures package discussed yesterday at the Energy Ministers Council: “Greece was among the countries that strongly supported it. There were several countries that were cautious due to the cost. We do not yet have a unified European electricity market and this greatly reduces competitiveness and heavily burdens the European citizen. The systematic, large differences in wholesale electricity prices between Eastern and Central-Northern Europe constitute a significant challenge and create an energy wall that we must tear down, building a unified electricity market. And this is Greece’s consistent position, both when we had double wholesale prices, and now, when we are among the 10 countries with the cheapest wholesale prices in Europe, thanks to our diversified energy mix,” he emphasized.
Speaking about the Vertical Corridor, the Minister said recent developments “confirm the importance and value that the Vertical Corridor and independence from Russian natural gas have for Europe. The issue occupied yesterday’s EU Energy Ministers Council and Greece asked all member states to support the independence decision they have unanimously agreed upon, and for the European Commission to send a clear message supporting the project, clarifying existing regulatory uncertainties and forming a clear, coherent and predictable regulatory framework.”
Finally, when asked if the government is planning new measures, Mr. Papastavrou replied: “This will depend on the crisis. One thing is certain: our fiscal and political stability allows us, within the framework of Europe’s fiscal rules, to have tools and measures to address the crisis, and depending on how it develops, the government will be there to help every Greek citizen.”
