Greece plans energy policy in the Balkans

Greece’s energy policy in the Balkans was the focus of meeting at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, at which the ministers for foreign affairs, development, and national economy discussed regional possibilities in electrical power, natural gas and petroleum. After the meeting, Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that when Greece holds the rotating presidency of the EU next year, it would promote setting up energy networks to incorporate the region into Europe. Development Minister Akis Tsochadzopoulos emphasized the importance of linking security and the economy to energy policy, and National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis referred to a more «outward-looking» orientation. «In the age of the euro, companies need another strategy, far more outward-looking, if a country is to be strong and to promote its economic capability, employment and competitiveness,» said Christodoulakis.