Chevron will begin research in the plots south of Crete in two to three years, as emphasized by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastaurou, on Parapolitika 90.1 radio show “That One and Me” with journalists Stella Gantona and Thanasis Fouskidis. As he said, “we will know then the extent and quality of the deposits and if it is confirmed that they are commercially exploitable, then our country and the Greek people will move to another level.”
At the same time, Mr. Papastaurou emphasized that the official expression of interest from the American giant constitutes “a de facto strengthening and recognition of our sovereign rights,” while regarding his visit to the USA, with energy issues dominating the agenda, he noted that America “recognizes our country as an energy hub.”
Excerpts from Stavros Papastaurou’s interview on Parapolitika 90.1
Among other things, he emphasized:
Regarding his visit to America for energy issues
S.PAPASTAUROU: It is clear that America recognizes our country as an energy hub, recognizes the infrastructure that our homeland has in Revythousa, in Alexandroupolis as infrastructure that allows American natural gas to come and find its way to the countries of central and eastern Europe in a direction of independence from Russian gas, so our energy relations are a pillar of stability that deepens our relations with America.
Asked what the prospects are for our country after the agreement with Chevron
S.PAPASTAUROU: It is clear that the official expression of interest from Chevron and the arrival of the American minister on the day this interest was expressed is a vote of confidence in Greece which has economic, geopolitical and developmental significance. It is a de facto strengthening and recognition of our sovereign rights because the invalid and unfounded Turkish-Libyan memorandum touches part of the two plots, so it is clear that Chevron’s expression of interest creates a diplomatic deterrent capital for us as the interest of the American giant is recognized.
S.PAPASTAUROU: The first research will be in depth in two to three years we will know then the extent and quality of the deposits and if it is confirmed that they are commercially exploitable then our country and the Greek people will move to another level.
