In his speech at this morning’s presentation of the OECD 2000-2009 Environmental Performance Review on Greece, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis pointed out that “one of the Greek government’s major efforts is aimed at adopting a dynamic, extrovert policy spearheaded by green diplomacy”.
Referring to the Foreign Ministry’s contribution to Greece’s environmental performance, Mr. Kouvelis stressed that green diplomacy should and can become economic diplomacy’s sharp edge. This would benefit not only the environment in our neighbourhood, but also the Greek economy, particularly at the current difficult economic juncture.
“We have the natural resources and the know-how to become one of the most significant players in our broader region,” stressed Mr. Kouvelis, who announced that the Foreign Ministry plans to promote, jointly with the Environment Ministry, cooperation with the Union’s new member states, Bulgaria and Romania, in order to draw mutual benefits in areas such as water resources management and renewable sources of energy.
In the coming period, Greece’s interest will focus on countries with a European perspective such as Western Balkan countries – given the 2014 Agenda – as well as Turkey.
Mr. Kouvelis highlighted these countries’ efforts to adjust to the community acquis on environmental issues saying that “other forms of cooperation come out of these efforts.”
Mr. Kouvelis also mentioned the need for protecting biodiversity, issues relating to climate change and energy. Particularly with regard to climate change, he said that “following the unsatisfactory outcome of the Copenhagen Conference, Greece has committed to taking initiatives in the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and the Black Sea, for a comprehensive proposal on environmental management on our way to the next stop: Mexico.
Beyond political cooperation, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister also mentioned economic diplomacy, which allows us to put synergies in place that would help Greece claim its own role and capitalize on green diplomacy as a tool “given in fact that the government has stated that green development should become the country's motor force.”
As regards development cooperation, he said that about €50-60 million were allocated annually to cooperation with NGOs in 2008 and 2009, whereas Greek funds allocated intergovernmentally amount to almost €500 million, but this sum will remain virtually unchanged this year due to the current economic situation, although it should have been doubled in order for us to reach our targets under the OECD.
He went to say that “this is why we commit ourselves to increasing efficiency, having green development as our guide, using applications in various areas such as agricultural production, renewable energy sources and environmental management.
Mr. Kouvelis said that the OECD’s recommendations need to be incorporated in Greece’s policies, recognizing the work carried out by the former Deputy Environment Minister, Mr. Stavros Kalogiannis, who contributed to the OECD review. Finally, he pointed out the ongoing cooperation and coordination with the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Ms. Tina Birbili, thanking the Environment Ministry for organising today’s event.