Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou discussed key issues from his portfolio on ERTNews, analyzing the government’s planning on environmental, energy and economic matters.
Marine parks and biodiversity protection
Regarding marine parks, Mr. Papastavrou emphasized that procedures are progressing normally, with public consultation concluding on September 22. He referenced the “30 by 30” initiative, aiming to protect at least 30% of marine areas by 2030, while Greece plans to exceed this percentage reaching 35-36% ahead of the deadline. He highlighted the importance of local fishermen’s participation, citing Amorgos as an example, where professionals decided to limit their activity two months per year to help regenerate the sea.
Hydrocarbons and investment interest
The minister noted that September 10th marks a decisive date for the international hydrocarbon tender, with bid opening to follow immediately, while expressing cautious optimism about the existence of offers from interested groups. The process completion is expected within 2025, with the contractor to be selected and negotiations for exploitation contracts to begin.
Energy policy and electricity prices
Mr. Papastavrou mentioned that establishing a working group within the framework of European cooperation prevented last year’s wholesale electricity price increases in SE Europe, with a 25-27% reduction compared to last August. The goal is for the de-escalation to be reflected in retail tariffs in September. He also emphasized the importance of energy storage and island interconnections for system stability. He confirmed there is no immediate plan to reduce the green tariff cap from 500 kilowatt-hours to 200.
Economic policy and social measures
Regarding fiscal policy, he emphasized the importance of maintaining stability, noting that Greece today borrows at lower rates compared to countries like the USA, UK, France and Italy. He underlined that economic development must reach every family, targeting the Greek family as the “backbone of society”.
Political legacy and institutional issues
The minister referenced the previous government’s political legacy, highlighting issues of criminalizing political life, and stressed the need for institutional restoration with respect for those affected by previous processes.
