Mitsotakis, Draghi meet to discuss energy cooperation
The meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi in Rome on Wednesday was described by government sources as of the utmost significance concerning energy issues, as Russia could turn off the gas tap.
The Greek government has been mulling cooperation with Italy, and secondarily with Bulgaria, for natural gas storage, in order to ensure sufficient quantities next winter.
In March, the European Commission instructed member-states to ensure underground gas storage tanks are filled to at least 80% capacity by November. Greece does not have natural gas depots and so has to make agreements with countries that do, such as Italy. The two men also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the need for a coordinated European response, developments in Libya and the East Mediterranean, including Turkey’s aggressive rhetoric.
