Ensuring that there is adequate energy for the country, as well as lower energy prices, are top priorities for the government, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday during his visit to the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal facilities on the island of Revithoussa.
"We are striving to achieve as low an energy price as possible for consumers, households and businesses," the prime minister said.
He noted that the problem of skyrocketing energy prices was imported and therefore demanded a joint European response but pledged that the government will continue to support energy consumers regardless, even if the EU does not reach a decision, through a subsidy scheme that will continue in May as well.
"I want to once again repeat that we are facing an unprecedented situation with an explosion in the price of natural gas. This problem is imported. It is a problem that concerns the whole of Europe and, because of this, I have personally fought for a European-wide response to a problem that is not strictly national but European," Mitsotakis said.
The prime minister had earlier sailed around the island and was given a tour of the facilities of the Terminal by the CEO of the Natural Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA), Maria Rita Galli, where he spoke with staff and witnessed the operation of the terminal's control centre.
"I want all Greeks to know that the Greek government is ready to take significant additional measures so as to absorb as high a percentage of the increase in electricity bills as is possible and permitted by fiscal margins," the prime minister stressed.
Mitsotakis was accompanied by Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas, who referred to past as well as future infrastructure projects, to be carried out in the coming months, to increase the Terminal's capacity, increase its ability to receive ships carrying LNG and how this will also increase Greece's autonomy with respect to natural gas.
According to Galli, "this puts us in a much stronger position than before...we are working incessantly to not only preserve and guarantee 100 pct capacity at the Terminal station but to enhance this...as we are extending its capacity for regasification and to serve the needs of the market."
Among others, DESFA is considering the additional of a floating storage unit to the existing facilities that will increase available capacity from 225,000 cubic metres to 380,000 cubic metres, while regasification capability will be increased by 12 pct.
In his remarks, the prime minister noted that the country must be ready to face even the worst scenario, such as a complete cessation in the supply of natural gas from Russia, adding that the LNG facility was crucial for ensuring a diversification of supply sources.
"Revithoussa in both its present form and its new upgraded form will play a crucial role in this planning," Mitsotakis stressed, along with the planned regasification units in Alexandroupolis.
PM Mitsotakis visits the island of Salamina, meets mayor and local residents
At a time of international crisis, it was imperative to rise to the occasion and protect those that are weakest, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday after a tour of the island of Salamina.
"Now that we are facing this major energy crisis, which I know has caused great hardship for households and businesses, especially the increases in electricity, I want you to know that we have already done a great deal and if needed will do more. It is the government's duty to support the citizens, especially when they face crises from outside such as this one," Mitsotakis said.
The prime minister visited the Salamina town hall and took part in a meeting with the mayor, Giorgos Panagopoulos.
"Salamina is an island that is much larger than many of our fellow citizens realise, next door to Attica, with significant growth potential," Mitsotakis noted, commenting on the municipality's inclusion in the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme for local government and the important projects that have been approved there.
Salamina has just exited seven years of economic surveillance, after it finally produced a balanced budget following reforms, achieving economic independence. It is to receive 6.0 million euros from the 'Antonis Tritsis' programme.
Arriving in Salamina from the island of Revithoussa, Mitsotakis visited the nunnery of Agia Faneromeni and the house once inhabited by one of Greece's greatest poets, Angelos Sikelianos. His next stop was a centre for children receiving psychiatric support, where he was met by Deputy Labour and Social Affairs Minister Domna Michailidou and other government officials.
The prime minister next visited a centre for women seeking help and support in cases of domestic violence and abuse, praising the work that was done there. Upon his arrival, he was met by Deputy Labour and Social Affairs Minister in charge of family policy and gender equality, Maria Syreggela and other officials.
His last stop was a meeting with friends and members of the ruling New Democracy party on the island, along with ND Political Committee Secretary Pavlos Marinakis and the head of the ND office Stelios Kontadakis.
"A lot of important things have been done but the plan for Greece that I personally envisage...is not a plan that can be completed in one four-year term," Mitsotakis said, adding that the dilemmas will be raised and discussed at the upcoming ND Conference.
"They are no longer the traditional dilemmas of Left and Right, which perhaps our generation or the generation ... of our parents grew up with. Now the main issue is whether we will go forward, whether we will capitalise on the stability that we now have as a country or whether we will slide back into a past that I think we would all like to forget. Our opponents, at their recent congress, have in any case made sure to remind us what it is we escaped from," he commented.
Mitsotakis said he expected Salamina to be "dynamically represented" at ND's Conference "to talk about the major problems we face and the country's course in the future."
AMNA
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