Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ remarks at a University of Peloponnese seminar (Corinth, 19.12.2022)

Energy autonomy with the production of clean energy from our own resources is a major stake for the EU, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis underscored, addressing on Monday, December 19, a seminar at the University of Peloponnese titled “The European Crisis in the throes of War and the Energy Crisis”, organized by the DAP-NDFK of Corinth.

The aspiration to become independent from hydrocarbons is related to the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions on the one hand and to become independent from the political and economic goals of third countries on the other, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted. In this regard, he referred to the difficulties and conflicting views in relation to the decision to impose a cap on gas and admitted that the EU did not react as quickly and effectively to the energy crisis as it did to the Covid-19 crisis, but he stressed that “in the end, crises strengthen Europe, rather than weaken it”. He declared himself a “passionate European”, noting that the European structure is a “unique example of transnational cooperation”, which “we should not easily shoot, but we must work hard to make it more functional and effective”.

“Were our country outside the EU, we would not have better energy sufficiency, we would not pay less for petrol or natural gas, nor would we feel safer at night”, Mr. Varvitsiotis said, adding that our membership in the EU also largely protects us against a possible attack by Turkey. In such a case, the EU would not remain neutral, it would stand by our side, the Alternate Minister believes. Besides, “Erdogan knows very well that by attacking Greece he would risk the EU-Turkey customs union, thanks to which the Turkish economy has grown”, he said, adding that conditions in Europe are extremely favorable to us.

Professors of the University of Peloponnese, Charalambos Tsiliotis and Antonios Klasis addressed the event as well.