TEHRAN: Greek Environment and Energy Minister Panos Skourletis and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and America Majid Takht Ravanchi agreed to expand energy cooperation between the two countries, noting the big potential in this area, the Greek ministry said in a press release.
At a meeting that also included Iran’s Ambassador to Athens and Hellenic Petroleum Grigoris Stergioulis, the Iranians highlighted their increased cooperation with Greece’s largest refiner. The two sides also discussed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, renewable energy and ways to conserve energy, the Greek ministry said. Skourletis said Greece wants “to be a bridge between Iran and the European Union” and confirmed Athens intentions to boost energy cooperation between the two countries.
Ravanchi, during his visit to Greece also met with Greek Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Giorgos Stathakis in Athens on July 13. They discussed all the aspects of extending Iran-Greece cooperation in areas of economy, trade, and industry, in their bilateral talks. They also expressed willingness to look into areas of pharmaceuticals, advanced technologies, ship building and shipping, tourism, and banking. The Iranian and Greek officials also vowed to realise the agreements signed during the February visit of Greek Prime Minsiter Alexis Tsipras in Tehran.
The Iranian minister’s visit to Greece followed a stop in Romania where he met Romanian Economy Minister Costin Borc, Energy Minister Victor Vlad Grigorescu and Foreign Minister Lazăr Comănescu in Bucharest.
Meanwhile, Skourletis also met with US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein in Athens on July 14 to discuss developments regarding the Tran Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB), plans for a floatable LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis. Skourletis told Hochstein Greece wants to be a regional energy hub, the Greek ministry said in a separate press release. The also discussed the privatisation of the Greek natural gas transmission network operator (DESFA).
