In Brussels, attention – and pressure from the Greek government – is currently focused on further measures and initiatives that will coordinate the European Union’s stance regarding the war in the Middle East and will support the national economies of EU member states, which are already experiencing the first tremors.
Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis has been in Brussels since yesterday evening and will participate today in the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, with the main agenda items being developments in Iran and the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.
Brussels: Greek pressure for European initiatives on energy and economy
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos are also in the Belgian capital to participate in the EU Energy Ministers Council, which will be held today. According to the relevant briefing, the “27” will discuss European networks and energy infrastructure, based on Commission proposals presented on December 10.
“The European Commission’s proposals for European Networks (Grids Package) have a strong ‘Greek character.’ They vindicate Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s policy, who brought the networks issue to the European table, and are the result of a coordinated and systematic strategy by the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy,” as emphasized by the Ministry. “Amid the Middle East crisis, the uncertainty it causes, and the international rise in energy prices, the goal is to highlight the weaknesses of the European energy market, address challenges, and seek solutions at the pan-European level. The focus is on improving cross-border interconnectivity, strengthening electrification and accelerating network licensing, while simultaneously increasing the resilience and security of cross-border infrastructure,” the same announcement notes.
However, the leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy also seeks an agreement on industrial electricity. This is a commitment that Kyriakos Mitsotakis had made a few months ago when speaking to SEV (Hellenic Federation of Enterprises) and which is “stuck” in Brussels bureaucracy and the strict regulatory framework. The government is optimistic that a solution will ultimately be found and very soon (by Ministers Hatzidakis and Papastavrou) the regulation will be announced, approaching the so-called Italian model: Energy price at 55 euros/MWh – or even lower – for a period of three years, in the form of an energy loan that industries will repay over twenty years through production from new renewable energy projects they will construct themselves. The clear objective of the Greek side is to support industry by alleviating the high energy costs that already burden it – even before the war has started.
The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels on Thursday morning to participate in the two-day Summit – the first since the outbreak of war in the Middle East. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, and Greek Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis will also be present. “If needed, I want everyone to know that we are here to support Greek society with national resources but, at the same time, where necessary, to undertake European initiatives so that there is also a European dimension in addressing the crisis,” Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized on Saturday from Larissa.
“But the direction I have given to the Finance Minister, also wearing the ‘hat’ of Eurogroup President, is that in the bad scenario – I emphasize, I hope it won’t be necessary – we will need not only national but also European response. And because I think our voice in Europe is now being heard, and heard well, I want to believe that in this undesirable scenario, Europe will also rise to the occasion,” he subsequently emphasized, ahead of the critical European Council meeting on Thursday.
Today, at 6:30 PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will speak at the Development Ministry event titled “Development Law, Strategic Investments: Contribution to productive transformation with priorities on industry and innovation,” which will take place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
