Samaras: Europe needs to expand its energy sources

Samaras said that similar efforts have been made by all the economic powers in the world citing as an example the U.S. and Japan for the exploitation of hydrocarbons from shale deposits and hydrates.

Referring to Greece he said there are now strong indications that the country has probably important energy resources.

He added that it is in the interest of the whole of Europe, to search for existing reserves, find them and exploit them as soon as possible, as it can reduce Europe’s energy dependence, and the need to interconnect with the unified European energy market.

Regarding the completion of the unified energy market, Samaras talked about the concept of full connectivity, which will eliminate the peculiar energy isolation in remote areas where it will also create investment opportunities.

He added that this is very important for Greece especially for the interconnection of islands with the unified energy grid.

Concerning energy investments, he said there should be attention paid to the cost which affects competitiveness and social cohesion.

Regarding the diversification of sources, Samaras said that the current Greek government (along with the governments of Italy, Albania and other Western Balkan countries) took an initiative to create a new alternative pipeline that would bring gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, called TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline).