Her issue energy with a view to reducing the cost but also the subject of housingwhich remains high on the government’s agenda, today (17.7.2025) discussed at the meeting at the finance ministry, Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and EU Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis at the beginning of the discussion andHe alienated to the Treasury Commissioner Dan Jorgensen and pointed out that the Commissioner’s portfolio focuses on two issues of crucial importance to the daily lives of European citizens: affordable energy and sustainable housing.
Specifically The Minister of Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis. stated: “On the issue of energy, what counts for citizens is a steady reduction in cost. The energy must be clean and economically accessible to everyone – for households, small businesses and industry. This is a stable Greek position and a common European challenge.
The visit of the Commissioner is on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing in Athens of the Treaty for the Energy Community. This anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm our will for an energy union that serves citizens – safely, adequacy and low costs.
To do this, Greece actively supports:
- the reinforcement of interconnections,
- the acceleration of licensing, and
- the completion of the internal energy market.
Just here to say that Greece is already making significant progress in green energy: over 50% of our power generation comes from renewable energy, the goal is to go to 80% by 2030. With steady steps, we hope, we aspire to evolve into a regional hub, and the cheapest hub. Also to say that affordable energy means less economic pressure for families, more competitiveness for business and stability for society.
“We also discussed the need to provide accessible housing for all, a need that is a top social priority for our government. We welcome the committee’s decision to recognize housing as a basic social objective, in the context of the interim revision of cohesion policy. And of course we support the simplification of procedures and the utilization of all available financial tools, with the aim of improving both energy efficiency and reducing home costs, especially for the most vulnerable households, “said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Through Greece 2.0, we implement:
- extensive energy upgrades to public and private buildings, and
- Modern housing support policies, with financial and tax incentives.
Green transition, affordable energy and housing are political interrelated – and absolutely critical to the durability of society and the competitiveness of the economy. Greece is ready to actively contribute to this common European goal. In a spirit of cooperation, we are working on a more green, more fair and more competitive Europe that meets the needs of all citizens, Mr Pierrakakis concluded.
On his part, EU Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said: “Thank you very much, Mr. Minister. I also thank all of you for a very constructive and fruitful meeting. The Greek Government shares many of the goals we have set and, Mr Minister, thank you very much for your good words for the proposal we have made yesterday for the new long -term budget of the European Union. You will be overwhelmed if you were not satisfied with some of the points, because they actually reflect – at least in a way – a very important decision by your government, including statements by the Greek Prime Minister, who has stressed that better interconnection between Europe’s national energy systems is required. This is absolutely crucial.
Greece is in a somewhat paradoxical position: on the one hand, you are pioneers in green forms of energy – all countries should follow your example as it reduces costs and helps reduce carbon emissions. On the other hand, energy prices remain too high – which clearly needs to change. On the European Commission side, we will do everything in our power to help you deal with this situation. One of the ways is to put more emphasis on natural infrastructure so that Greece can better interconnect with the rest of the European network – and we can assure you that we will do so. In terms of housing, we also share the Greek government’s goal of ensuring a more affordable home, especially in the field of social housing. The ability to have an affordable home is one of the most basic needs of citizens. We take your government’s concerns very seriously and, what we can do from the European Union to help, we will do it. This is also reflected in the multiannual fiscal framework. In these words, Mr Minister, thank you again for this useful meeting. We will remain in close contact and continue to hear your views as we move on to our work. “
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