The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Kostas Fragogiannis, highlighted the importance of recovery through investments in a green circular economy that reduces pollution through optimum use of natural resources in his addresses at the 7th annual “Green Energy Investments Forum” and the 13th annual International Conference on Energy and Climate Change, which were organized by the Energy Policy and Development Center of the University of Athens, in its capacity as BSEC Green Energy Network coordinator and exclusive United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub for promotion of the 7th sustainable development goal (SDG7), which concerns “Affordable and Clean Energy.”
“The way forward for the Greek economy must be based to a great extent on alternative energy sources with a green footprint,” Mr. Fragogiannis said, and for this reason, “Greece will fully capitalize on European funding for the development of its green economy.” He underscored that “the Greek government is committed to promoting sustainable development, green energy and innovation as the necessary conditions for continuous improvement of the country’s society, economy and environment.” One of our key priorities, the Deputy Foreign Minister said, is complete independence from lignite for the production of electricity by 2028.
“The national sustainable development policies for overcoming the crisis at this time, in the midst of the pandemic, will not suffice, and this is why they must be combined with efforts to enhance multilateral cooperation in all possible and mutually beneficial ways,” he stressed. He pointed out that “BSEC is the right vehicle for promoting constructive and productive cooperation among the 12 states in the wider Black Sea region.”
Mr. Fragogiannis also clarified that “in the post-Covid era, our effort towards digital integration will have to be accompanied by a renewed commitment to adopt green development.” “Incorporating sustainable development – as well as environmental and energy-efficiency issues – into every stage of our policy-making is of the utmost importance,” he added. In this context, he focused on the importance of the EU’s Green Agreement for an action plan that bolsters effective use of resources through transition to a clean circular economy and, at the same time, restoration of biodiversity through concurrent reduction in pollution, in order to achieve a neutral climate in Europe by 2050. An agreement that, he said, “will boost Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis, transforming green challenges into opportunities for innovation.”
In this context, he underscored that “Greece will fully capitalize on European funding to develop its green economy.” “Over 30% of the Recovery Fund will go to green development actions,” he clarified, noting that “apart from the €19 billion in grants that the Fund is providing to Greece, there is also provision for a loan of €12.5 billion on favourable terms. In the same framework, the main axes Greece is proposing be funded by the Recovery Fund are energy-saving programs in residential and other buildings, electricity connections, renewable energy sources, electrical supply, environmental protection measures, drainage, spatial planning, in combination with sustainable development and management of solid and liquid waste.”
Mr. Fragogiannis added that the Hellenic Development Bank has launched a “Greek Green Funds” programme for business capital and private investment capital for funding enterprises in the sectors of RES production and technology, energy conservation infrastructure, sustainable development and circular economy. A programme that is expected to bring in investments of over €4 billion.
“It is certain that our countries are facing common problems that require joint and coordinated action, for today and tomorrow,” Mr. Fragogiannis noted, underscoring that “inter-state, multilateral cooperation on an international level is the key.” In closing, Mr. Fragogiannis underscored that “we firmly believe BSEC provides us with a useful platform for enhancing our cooperation – as we prepare to jump-start our economies and introduce the necessary recovery plans – on bringing sustainable progress and prosperity to all of the member states and their citizens.”
October 8, 2020