The Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, explained through his television appearance on ERT the major energy agreement signed by DEPA Commerce and Naftogaz during the meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion. It’s worth noting that the US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, was present.
“My condolences for the death of Dimitris Stamatis,” Stavros Papastavrou initially expressed. “Our country is transforming into an energy hub in the field. As the Prime Minister said, from day one he sided with Ukraine, with the defender,” he continued. “America chooses us as a reliable ally,” the Environment and Energy Minister added, continuing: “Essentially, our country is America’s strategic energy ally in Europe. This represents a tremendous vote of confidence – America chooses us as a reliable ally to supply the countries of the southern corridor.”
Stavros Papastavrou: Mitsotakis’ stance brought natural gas as gateway for western Europe
Stavros Papastavrou emphasized that “beyond economic and political stability, it’s Mitsotakis’ clear stance that brought American natural gas as a gateway for western Europe.”
“The American government has said that independence from Russian natural gas plays an important role in the region’s development,” Mr. Papastavrou stressed. “Ukraine’s infrastructure has been hit and there’s a need for natural gas. This isn’t an isolated agreement, as it complements last week’s deal. It allows our country to be the supplier, the gateway, for countries that need natural gas.” Additionally, “as the Prime Minister said, it shouldn’t come from Russia, disguised, through Turkey.”
Regarding the ExxonMobile agreement: “For the first time after 40 years, we will have exploratory drilling in our homeland. If we prove we have commercially viable deposits, we’ll have production by 2030. Thus, many geographical areas, from the Ionian to Crete, will gain greater value.”
“It’s no coincidence that Volodymyr Zelensky chose Athens, Paris, and Madrid. He chose the three prime ministers who stood by him. Greece wants to play an important role in Ukraine’s reconstruction, beyond natural gas,” he added and concluded: “In one week we have accomplished so much.”
