The importance of the "blue economy" and the need to find alternative energy sources for a "greener" and more sustainable Europe was emphasized by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis in his remarks at the Working Group on Climate Change and the Environment, which was convened today in Strasbourg in the framework of the 3rd Plenary Session of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that the marine environment of the Mediterranean is constantly deteriorating, due to overfishing and pollution, causing major problems in the coastal economies and the 200 million citizens who live in them. "Our economies depend on a healthy marine environment," the Alternate Minister said, noting that the EUMed Group, which met twice in Athens last year, has already put forward concrete ideas that could be further elaborated in the context of the Dialogue on the Future of Europe.
Regarding the issue of carbon dioxide emissions, the Alternate Minister underlined the need to invest in green energy and for Europe to diversify its energy mix. In particular, with regard to natural gas, Mr. Varvitsiotis underscored that Europe should not only rely on existing sources, but should also explore the possibility of importing it from new routes passing through the Eastern Mediterranean, making particular reference to the development of reserves having been discovered in Israel, Egypt and Cyprus. The Alternate minister also emphasized the need for Europe's electricity interconnection with North Africa. "Green energy not only does not harm the planet, but also helps Europe not to be dependent on a single energy source", he concluded.
January 21, 2022