Environmental protection, tackling water scarcity and preventing forest wildfires were at the center of a meeting between Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall. The European Commissioner’s visit to Athens was accompanied by joint messages for closer cooperation between Greece and the European Union in facing climate crisis challenges, while particular emphasis was placed on the importance of prevention and organized management of natural resources and forest areas. After the meeting at the ministry, both sides visited Antinero projects on Mount Hymettus, where fire prevention and restoration interventions were presented, which the Greek side characterizes as a model of European best practice.
Papastavrou’s meeting with European Commissioner
Stavros Papastavrou welcomed the European Commissioner at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, with main discussion topics including circular economy, environmental policy and water management. As part of the visit, an inspection of Antinero projects in the Hymettus area took place, where the minister briefed Jessika Roswall on interventions being implemented regarding active forest management and fire prevention.
The Environment Minister characterized the Antinero program as “a project that Europe itself has recognized as a model of best practice,” noting that environmental protection constitutes a fundamental policy choice of the government. “Environmental protection is neither a luxury nor theory. It’s not about the few, it’s about the many. It concerns the daily life of Greek citizens,” Stavros Papastavrou stated characteristically. He also emphasized that the government is proceeding with implementing three special spatial planning frameworks concerning tourism, renewable energy sources and industry.
Stavros Papastavrou: Interventions for Natura and marine parks
During his statements, the Environment Minister also referred to initiatives being promoted for protecting natural ecosystems and marine areas. “We organize space, we set rules,” he noted, while focusing particularly on two marine national parks in the Southern Cyclades and the Ionian Sea.
As he said, Greece “pioneers in marine protection,” while special environmental studies covering over 75% of Natura areas in the country are progressing. Stavros Papastavrou emphasized that the government policy’s goal is “sustainable development that leaves no one behind,” connecting environmental protection with citizens’ daily lives as well as economic development. The Greek side gave particular emphasis to the importance of prevention against climate crisis impacts, especially after major wildfire disasters recorded in recent years.
Roswall’s message on wildfires and water scarcity
For her part, Jessika Roswall focused particularly on the importance of European cooperation in tackling forest fires and extreme phenomena connected to the climate crisis. The European Commissioner emphasized that Greece is “on the front line” of climate crises and possesses valuable experience in wildfire management. “Prevention is key,” she noted characteristically, stressing that intervention when a fire has already broken out is not enough but systematic preparation is required.
She also referred to the European Commission’s strategy for addressing increasingly frequent and more destructive fires, noting that protecting forests, human lives and productive resources constitutes a common European challenge. Particular reference was made to the water scarcity issue, which has severely affected Greece, especially its islands, in recent years.
Jessika Roswall noted that water access and nature-based solutions constitute basic priorities of the European Union, while emphasizing that “no member state can face climate challenges alone.” The European Commissioner characterized her visit to Athens as an opportunity to strengthen Greece-EU cooperation, noting that knowledge exchange and mutual assistance among member states is crucial for effectively addressing environmental crises.
