The strengthening of strategic cooperation between Greece and France in the protection of the seas and the environment, as well as in critical areas of energy transition, such as carbonization and electrification, were the focus of a meeting held yesterday in Paris between the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou and the French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, Ms. Monique Barbut.
The meeting took place in Paris between Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou and the French Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature, Ms. Monique Barbut.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General for the Natural Environment and Water, Mr Petros Varelidis.
As announced by the Ministry of Environment:
Mr Papastavrou highlighted the importance of the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Athens and the new enhanced partnership signed between Greece and France, with emphasis on the protection of the sea, biodiversity and the natural environment.
The Environment and Energy Minister stressed the importance of protecting the seas, as well as the cooperation between the two countries in the framework of the European Ocean Observatory (Ocean Eye) initiative, stressing that “we will be able to know in real time useful scientific data, critical information on the quality of the marine ecosystem, the position of vessels, both fishing and non-fishing, as well as possible marine pollution incidents. Thus, technology and digital tools are strengthening the framework for protecting the marine environment, enhancing our understanding of our seas, which are a component of our identity.”
Greece and France agreed to strengthen their cooperation at European level and to proceed to the establishment of a group for the protection of the seas, within the framework of the EU Council of Ministers, a step which Papastavrou described as a “Greek-French axis for the promotion and protection of the Mediterranean and its ecosystem”.
Also discussed were the ETS review framework and cooperation in climate policy areas, an issue on which Papastavrou stressed to his French counterpart the importance of maintaining an ambitious but realistic climate policy, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the support of citizens. In particular, there was a convergence of views between Greece and France on the need for ambitious funding from the ETS and through the EIB for energy-intensive industries, to support innovative solutions for their decarbonisation, as well as initiatives for the electrification of the economy.
“Greece supports the continuation of free emission allowances for energy-intensive industries, with particular emphasis on shipping, where it is necessary to create a separate allocation key in the ETS, which currently does not exist, as it does for industry and aviation,” the Minister said, noting that “the revision of the ETS is an opportunity to correct this inequality”.
Ms Monique Barbut presented the recent energy law passed by the French National Assembly, as well as innovative electrification projects being implemented in France. She also informed her Greek counterpart about the agreements signed in the framework of the G7 in Paris, especially those concerning illegal fishing and the protection of the marine environment, agreements that Mr Papastavrou described as of increased interest for Greece.
The two Ministers agreed to further strengthen close cooperation and exchange of know-how in the protection of the natural environment and the fight against climate change. Finally, Mr Papastavrou invited the French Minister to visit our country soon.
