Statements of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos and Environment, Energy & Climate Change Minister Maniatis. -Hellenic MoFA

MFA,Thursday, 30 January 2014

 

E. VENIZELOS: The exploration for the hydrocarbons that exist on the Greek continental shelf and the Greek exclusive economic zone are a firm and substantial priority for our government.

Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis and I, along with our associates, met so that we could all be equally up to date and have the same picture regarding the results of the very important seismic explorations carried out in previous months, regarding the analysis of the results of the seismic exploration, and, naturally, regarding the next steps that will lead to the selection of the concessionaires, precisely as has been done for other regions as well.

What is important is that, in two very large regions in the Ionian and in the region south of Crete, we have – according to the scientific data and international specifications – the certainty that there are geological structures similar to those that exist in regions rich in hydrocarbons, whether in the form of oil or natural gas.

This makes us optimistic, of course. We are not in a position at this time to make more specific assessments. But we can say that the effort is bearing fruit, and this is of very great importance for the national development model, through which we are exiting the crisis and turning towards the real economy. Because what we are saying may seem vague or relevant to a high level of foreign policy, but the truth is, it is directly related to growth, to investments, to jobs, to the country’s fiscal state of affairs, to the National Fund for the Solidarity of Generations.

So the discussion is twofold at this time. It is a political discussion regarding the sovereignty and sovereign rights of our country. And it is a discussion that is economic, developmental and social, regarding what this effort will produce.

Greece is now a player on the energy map of the wider region, and this is clear not only from the exploration, but also from the whole effort we are making with regard to pipelines. And the two Ministries will continue in this direction in close cooperation, given that during the six months of the Hellenic Presidency we will have the opportunity to participate in a series of meetings and initiatives of the wider region; initiatives that are opening up new potential.

Greece is an international factor on these issues, moving with equilibrium, with honesty, with transparency, as a factor for stability – as is the case in general in its international political stance – and I think this is appreciated by all of those who, politically or economically, are contacting and pursuing agreements with us, because we know how to honor all of our partners and all of our agreements.

Y. MANIATIS: As Mr. Deputy Prime Minister said, we received the report on the data from the Norwegian company PGS, and one could say that we are now optimistic that there are clear indications that there are hydrocarbon deposits in the region we explored. In the coming three or four months, this data will be analyzed in collaboration with the Norwegian company PGS and the French oil institute Beicip-Franlab, together with the Greek experts, so that at the end of the first six months we will be able to offer concessions in the region of the Ionian and south of Crete, on the order of 10 to 15 large tracts.

So in reality Greece is moving ahead in a very clearly documented manner, in accordance with the timeline that we have set since the beginning, so that we can gain the role commensurate with our geophysical and geological structure in relation to the energy state of affairs.

What is also important is that, yesterday, for the first time, a complete database was delivered to the Greek public sector, containing all the scientific data that will, in the immediate future, allow for the creation – in Athens, Houston, London and Oslo – of four data rooms where oil companies can start to get information, so that we can point up the allure of the Greek space with regard to hydrocarbon exploration. I will conclude by saying that, with the presence of our people, as well, at the global conferences that are to take place in the immediate future, we will present our country’s prospects, so that in the first six months we can have attracted the interest of major companies.

E. VENIZELOS: Thank you very much.

 mfa.gr

30/1/14

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