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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-06-04
CONTENTS
[01] PM Samaras: Hydrocarbon exploration procedures to speed up
[01] PM Samaras: Hydrocarbon exploration procedures to speed up
ANA-MPA -- Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Tuesday announced the
speeding up of procedures for hydrocarbon exploration in Greece and
the establishment of a Public Company for Hydrocarbons.
In a meeting he chaired at the ministry of Environment, Energy &
Climate Change attended by the ministry leadership and experts, the
prime minister underlined that the speeding up of the hydrocarbon
drilling procedures constitutes a "major comparative and geopolitical
advantage for Greece". He also referred to the commitment of the Greek
scientists involved, which he called "a prerequisitive for the successful
exploitation of the country's natural deposits that can generate wealth".
Samaras noted that the Greek programme will have to be incorporated in the
new European energy networks, underlining that it will play an important
role in buffering the Greek economy and achieving energy autonomy. He
spoke about strategic alliances with international exploration companies,
putting an emphasis on the explorations in the Ionian Sea region and
south of the island of Crete, and said that tenders are in progress for
companies wishing to undertake explorations in Ioannina (western Greece),
Katakolo (northwast Peloponnese) and Patraikos Bay (linking the western
mainland with the Peloponnese).
According to the prime minister, "The great interest shown by foreign
companies in other regions as well is proof of the confidence foreign
players have in our country."
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