Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) EU Council President Charles Michel stressed the importance of energy independence in Greece on Tuesday.
Speaking at the launch of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Alexandroupolis, he pointed out that the EU must build its sovereignty and be more strategic, the Council noted in a statement.
“We must forge our new energy independence,” Michel stressed and added that Greece is doing exactly that.
“I firmly believe we are seeing a new dawn for European energy independence… and we see clear evidence of that new future here today in this city with this new LNG terminal,” he pointed out.
Michel described the launch of the terminal as a “very strong and positive step for our common political project because it will help to diversify our gas supply, to bolster our energy infrastructure and to phase out our dependence on Russian fossil fuels.”
He added that the LNG terminal will improve security of energy supply in the EU and contribute to the bloc’s long-term environmental goals.
Michel reminded that the EU Council adopted energy decisions in Versailles earlier this year, stressing “we decided that we will end our dependence on Russian fossil fuels… diversify our supplies and routes, including through the use of LNG.”
He stressed that the launch of the terminal is geopolitically important and timely, pointing out that it will improve energy security of Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia and other countries in the Western Balkans.
“We are delivering on our goal of ensuring the connectivity with our closest partners and friends, the Western Balkans, by increasing diverse supply and by inviting these countries to participate in the EU Energy Purchase Platform that is being set up,” Michel noted.
In Michel’s view, the LNG terminal “will help to free Southeast Europe from the weaponisation of gas supply by Russia.”
He added that the terminal contributes to EU’s long-term environmental goals because the infrastructure can be used to transport hydrogen as technology develops.
“For all these reasons, I want to thank everyone who played an important role in making this project a reality, from public authorities to private partners to national operators,” Michel concluded.
