Ομιλία: 2η Διεθνής Διάσκεψη για την Ενέργεια και την Ανάπτυξη Τρίπολη, Λιβύη

SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLICH.E. MR. PETROS DOUKAS

2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENERGY AND DEVELOPMENT
Tripoli, 10th December 2007

Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like, first of all, to thank the organizers for their kind invitation to participate as a keynote speaker at the 2nd International Conference on Energy and Development in this wonderful country.

Thank you for your kind invitation. Let us take a look at a general framework.
Price of oil over $90 a barrel:
- More than 45% of oil deposits have already been extracted and consumed.
- Production at 85-90 million barrels per day could rise to even 110 million.
BUT FOR HOW LONG?
GLOBAL DEMAND IS ON THE RISE – RELENTLESSLY
China 10%
India 8%
S.E. Europe 7%
Russia 7%
Brazil , S.E. Asia, Africa, Latin America
THE APPETITE LOOKS INSATIABLE
AND ON THE OTHER SIDE WE HAVE CLIMATE CHANGE/ GLOBAL WARMING
- MOST SCENARIOS ARE VERY ALARMING
- MANY MORE CITIZENS APPLY POLITICAL PRESSURE AND REQUIRE ACTION
- Better energy management
- More miles to the gallon
- Energy-efficient buildings, engines and machines
- Massive reforestation programs
- Cleaner fuels
- Alternative energy sources

ALL-IN, energy demand will continue to rise and energy prices will remain at very high levels
Greece would like to partner with Libya in exploring both
- Alternative energy research and investment
- Oil and natural gas supplies from Libya to Greece
- Large Greek oil companies to continue to undertake joint exploration and transportation projects

Libya plays a leading role in the global energy sector, thanks to continued investment projects that have been undertaken in the past years, demonstrating Libya’s strategic role, not only in the Mediterranean but also in Africa.
Furthermore, with recent economic growth amounting to 6% of GDP and a per capita income of 12,300 dollars, Libya has become an interesting country for business and investment opportunities in all sectors of economic activity, like banking, construction, retail, telecommunications and, of course, energy.

Energy consuming countries face the challenge of ensuring sufficient and affordable energy supply, in order to achieve economic growth and social prosperity. Energy producing countries, on the other hand, face the challenge of ensuring sustainable energy production and use, in order to guarantee energy security.
Access to energy supply and energy security can only be achieved through enhanced cooperation between producers of fossil fuels, actual or potential producers of renewable energies, transit countries and consumers of energy.

As you all well know, natural gas and renewable sources of energy will become key energy factors in the future.

Greece is striving to diversify its energy suppliers and the geographical proximity between Greece and Libya and our well established relationship provide excellent conditions to expand cooperation in the field of natural gas. We are currently undertaking major investments for the upgrading and creation of networks and interconnections, such as various pipeline development projects to supply European countries with natural gas.
Energy projects currently under development in Greece are:
1. The Turkey-Greece-Italy gas pipeline, known as “TGI Interconnector” is considered to be the main route for transportation of Caspian gas to Europe. Last month, November 18th, the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey inaugurated the connection of the two sides at the joint border.
2. The “South Stream” gas pipeline, initiated by President Putin is targeting the transportation of Kazakh gas through the Black Sea and Greece to Italy and to the rest of Europe. Considered to be, the alternative route, this project is fully supported by the Greek (and the Italian) Government.
3. The S.E. Europe Energy Committee, initiated by Greece, is today a reality, following a 2year consultation period, known as the “Athens process”. We could adopt this model for a similar “Mediterranean Energy Community”. Why not?

Energy consumption is expected to increase tremendously in the coming years and demand cannot be covered only by fossil fuels. According to official data, the European Union could be 70% dependent on imports, by the year 2020. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expand and exploit renewable energy sources, which offer unparalleled advantages:
1) Renewable energies undoubtedly contribute to climate and environmental protection.
2) Due to scarcity of resources, traditional energy supply structures are insufficient and renewable sources of energy are the only way to increase security of energy supply.
3) Renewable energies create jobs and spark technical innovations.
4) Renewable energies are an environmental friendly promoter of economic growth.

It would be a waste if Mediterranean countries like Greece and Libya could note capitalize on its natural resources as far as wind and solar energy is concerned. Cooperation in developing and exploiting renewable energies is a very good investment for the future.

Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am convinced that the challenges we face, however difficult they may be, offer also tremendous opportunities.

Wishing every success to the Conference on Energy and Development,

I thank you for your attention