Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ speech at the “European Business Summit” (Brussels, 17.11.2022)

“The Mediterranean is a region where Europe must seek new energy resources”, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis underlined, during his speech on the geopolitical situation in Europe at the annual “European Business Summit”.

In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis – who is in Brussels to participate in tomorrow’s EU General Affairs Council – pointed out that energy is the “elephant in the European room” and that Europe, after many years of relying on Russia for energy, needs to diversify its sources. He stated that ” there are deposits found in Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, and now we are starting explorations for energy resources in Western Greece,” adding that Europe has already spent a lot of money to become “greener” with the aid of the Recovery Fund.

The Alternate Minister emphasized that Europe should not make the same mistake with Turkey as it did with Russia in the energy sector, namely, to depend only on one route for its supply.  In addition, he referred to Turkey’s obstructive stance towards the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, as “it is still negotiating by making oriental bargains, which has nothing to do with common defence”.

Mr Varvitsiotis underscored that “the biggest challenge we are facing is not only at the geostrategic but also at the political level. Europe must demonstrate determination and immediately provide its consumers and citizens with cheap energy”. At the same time, as he highlighted, it is also important for the EU to honour its commitments to support Ukraine, aiming at its independence and reconstruction.

The Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade Representative of Ukraine T. Kachka, the Czech Deputy Minister for European Affairs M. Havdra, the Swedish Minister for EU Affairs J. Roswall, and the Portuguese State Secretary for European Affairs T. Antunes also participated in the event.  The discussion was moderated by the Brussels Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, D. Michaels.