Greece seeks joint exploitation of gas and oil fields with US, says minister
First entry: 29 March 2015 - 14:35 Athens, 11:35 GMT
Last update: 29 March 2015 14:35 Athens, 11:35 GMTPolitics
Greece is interested in a joint exploitation with the United States of any gas and oil fields it may find with a 70-30 percentage stake in favour of the latter, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said during a visit to New York on Sunday.
"I will reveal to you that the Greek government, if there's an interest by the United States on cooperating in gas and oil fields, is willing to proceed to cooperation," said Kammenos, who is attending celebrations to mark Greek Independence Day.
The minister said he discussed the issue in a meeting with Victoria Nuland, the US government's Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
"In a meeting I had with Mrs Nuland, I told her we would be interested in a GtoG (government to government) agreement with the United States, so that we have a joint exploitation of the oil and gas fields."
He said he believed this prospect may produce new revenues for cash-strapped Greece. "It is obvious that if we proceed to a joint exploitation of oil and gas with a 70-30 percentage [deal], this will create a funding line which will relieve us from many problems."
Asked what Nuland's answer was, Kammenos said she told him the proposal would be examined and suggested they might be interested in a "government to company" agreement.
The minister also said the government will cooperate with defence and aerospace company Lockheed Martin to "upgrade" Greek F-16 fighter jets.
"I will reveal to you that the Greek government, if there's an interest by the United States on cooperating in gas and oil fields, is willing to proceed to cooperation," said Kammenos, who is attending celebrations to mark Greek Independence Day.
The minister said he discussed the issue in a meeting with Victoria Nuland, the US government's Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.
"In a meeting I had with Mrs Nuland, I told her we would be interested in a GtoG (government to government) agreement with the United States, so that we have a joint exploitation of the oil and gas fields."
He said he believed this prospect may produce new revenues for cash-strapped Greece. "It is obvious that if we proceed to a joint exploitation of oil and gas with a 70-30 percentage [deal], this will create a funding line which will relieve us from many problems."
Asked what Nuland's answer was, Kammenos said she told him the proposal would be examined and suggested they might be interested in a "government to company" agreement.
The minister also said the government will cooperate with defence and aerospace company Lockheed Martin to "upgrade" Greek F-16 fighter jets.
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