TSOCHATZOPOULOS: THE EU MUST BE PROTECTED IN VIEW OF A LIKELY CRISIS

www.mpa.gr Thessaloniki, 22 February 2003 (13:25 UTC+2)

Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos had a working meeting this morning with responsible European Commissioner Loyola de Palacio and OPEC general secretary S. Galderon. The meeting were held on the sidelines of the informal EU Energy Ministers Council meeting taking place in Thessaloniki. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, who is the President of the EU Energy Ministers Council, stated that they discussed the likely consequences of an unfavorable geopolitical development in the region of Iraq. He assured that during the informal EU Energy Ministers Council meeting the participants will be briefed on the predictions of the OPEC countries and will take the necessary measures. He said that the goal is to protect Europe from the likely consequences of a war in Iraq. Responding to the question if the situation concerning the international oil prices will have a successful conclusion, Mr. Calderon stated that the goal is to strengthen the cooperation with the EU to have enough oil in the market. Referring to the recent problem with Venezuela, Mr. Calderon stressed that it was transitional and was faced successfully in cooperation with OPEC which acted immediately to meet any oil shortages.