On 26 June, Greece’s Prime Minister and New Democracy Conservative leader Antonis Samaras had good news for his new coalition government with the signing of a deal that sees Greece as a transit country for EU gas, and the Chinese company COSCO inaugurating a new container terminal at Piraeus.
On 26 June, Greece and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium officially signed the Host Government Agreement initialled two weeks ago, at an official ceremony held in Athens.
In statements after the ceremony, Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras emphasised the investments and jobs that the construction of the pipeline will create, as well as Greece’s future position as an energy hub for the region. “I believe this will bring jobs to Greece … it will help Greece become an energy hub in the wider area,” Stournaras said.
TAP starts on the Greek-Turkish border and goes to Italy via Albania and an underwater section in the Adriatic Sea. Greece’s Deputy Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister Assimakis Papageorgiou said the construction of the pipeline will place Greece on the international energy map and bring benefits on a geopolitical level, creating a positive investment climate and boosting competition for the benefit of consumers.
TAP Managing Director Kjetil Tungland thanked the government for its co-operation and the support given by Samaras, the Parliament and the ministries involved. He said the agreement was a firm basis for carrying out the €1.5-billion investment for the construction of the Greek portion of the pipeline, noting that he looked forward to long-term co-operation with Greek authorities.
TAP’s Country Director for Greece Rikard Scoufias said the agreement was an important component for securing Greece’s and TAP’s bid for the Southern Gas Corridor, but also constitutes an international benchmark for expediency in terms of establishing a positive investment climate. In Piraeus, Samaras said Greece could be a hub for trade between Europe and China as he joined Captain Wei Jiafu of COSCO to cut the red ribbon on the new container terminal at the port. Samaras called on the Chinese group to deepen its involvement in Greece.
“We invite you to more successful co-operation in transport, trains, ports and ship repair,” said Samaras, adding that further development of the port by COSCO would create 500 new jobs, ultimately making Piraeus one of the five biggest cargo ports in Europe, and employ about 3,000 people.
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