Tsipras: An important day for Greece as it capitalises on its energy wealth

Today is a historic day because Greece is making a big and decisive step to capitalise on its energy wealth, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in his greeting at the signing ceremony of the Greek State's lease with the joint venture Exxon Mobil - Total - Hellenic Petroleum, which grants the right to carry out exploratory drilling and extract hydrocarbons in the sea west and southwest of Crete.

"Today, Greece is not only a country that is a critical energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans but is also starting to implement a plan that ultimately aims to turn it into an energy-producing country," he said and added: "This is the culmination of many years of efforts and planning."

"This development offers another perspective to Greece's geopolitical role, but at the same time another development and economic outlook in Greece," the prime minister underlined.

"Just four years ago the country was on the brink of bankruptcy and now it is a self-sufficient country," he added.

"The economy has positive growth rates for the ninth consecutive quarter while it has secured the lowest borrowing rate from the money markets in its modern history," Tsipras said and added: "Today's signature signals that the big investments in our country are continuing. And that this year, we are heading towards a new investment record."

"The investment signed today for the exploration and exploitation of potential hydrocarbon deposits is a vote of confidence in the potential of Greece and the Greek economy," the prime minister said, and pointed out that the great interest today has to do with the geopolitical significance of the contract being signed, which he described as "a nationally important investment that begins a great cycle for hydrocarbon exploration and extraction.

"Greece, like Cyprus, is proceeding with well-planned and coordinated steps to the utilisation of our energy resources," he said, noting that these were not actions carried out 'for show' for for communication purposes but actions aiming "to create good prospects, economic prosperity and security for our peoples and future generations."

He also observed that "we always proceed by ensuring that international law is respected, and that our efforts are supported by the companies that have the best technology, as well as excellent knowledge and the know-how and logistical infrastructure to achieve the best possible result."

"The agreement signed today marks Greece's exploitation of its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in the footsteps of other states in the region," Tsipras said.

"In cooperation with energy giants, we will look for deposits in the south of Crete, which, if identified, will add Greece to the region's producer countries. It opens up a new big chapter, with significant potential economic and social benefits. The institutional framework we have set up ensures that these benefits will be accrue to both local communities and the public, both in the exploration phase and in a possible future exploitation phase," he stated.