Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou made the following statement upon his arrival on Monday at the EU Energy Ministers Council in Luxembourg:
"Developments in the Middle East lead us to two key conclusions. First, they confirm the correctness of our country's strategy to aim for a diversified energy mix, strengthening our energy autonomy. Furthermore, they highlight the essential need to complete the unified energy market in Europe, with the goal of eliminating distortions. Today, the difference in energy prices between Northern and Southeastern Europe increases inequalities, burdening not only households and businesses in Greece, but also the competitiveness of both the Greek economy and the European economy as a whole. This must change. In a world that is becoming increasingly divided, Europe must unite its forces to tear down the wall of energy inequality. We are here to take the first step toward the immediate activation of the energy task force, a proposal by the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. We continue seeking a truly unified European energy market, with a common strategy, with security, and with access for all."