In parallel with the effort to improve the prospects of the Greek economy, the government has taken important steps in promoting the green transition, said the Minister of Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, during the OECD ministerial conference.
THE Kostis Hatzidakisspeaking before his ministers OECDpointed out the reduction in the use of coal by 80%, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 43% compared to 2005, the increase in the share of renewable sources (with Greece ranking 7th worldwide based on the percentage of electricity generation derived from sun and wind and ranked 5th in terms of capacity per capita) and significantly improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
The Greek minister also emphasized that national policies, no matter how ambitious they are, are not sufficient to deal with climate change and therefore there should be coordination and collective actions at the international level, while he praised the positive contribution of the OECD to this common effort.
In a more special meeting on the topic of finding the financial resources needed to promote sustainable development goals, Mr. Hatzidakis emphasized that more active participation of the private sector should be sought, by providing incentives and using innovative financial tools, as well as and more effective coordination of all the actors involved (states, development banks, international organizations, etc.).
“The climate goals we have set are correct but we have fallen behind in achieving them. It is clear that it is not enough for the most advanced countries to achieve the goals they have set. The others should follow. And to do that they need our help. We have a moral obligation to succeed. But it is also in our interest. Because if we don’t succeed, the costs we will have to pay in the future, either in the form of environmental disasters or in the form of increased migration flows, will be higher”, concluded the Greek Minister.
Barrage of meetings
In addition, the Minister of National Economy and Finance held a series of important bilateral meetings.
In particular, Mr. Hatzidakis met the Deputy Secretary General of the OECD, Ulrik Knudsen, with whom they exchanged views on the course of the European and Greek economy. For his part, Mr. Knudsen recognized the progress that has been made in the last five years in the Greek economy and encouraged the Greek Minister to continue the government’s efforts to cover the gap created in the last decade.
Mr. Hatzidakis also met his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Simsek, with whom they discussed the course of the economy of the two countries. During the meeting, the improvement of the climate in bilateral relations was noted with satisfaction, while special reference was made to the visa express program, which has contributed to the increase in visits by Turkish tourists to the Aegean islands.
The Greek Minister also met Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat, with whom they exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Israel’s proposal to the Greek side to upgrade the relations between the two countries in the field of innovation was discussed, given that Israel is a world leader in this field.
Mr. Hatzidakis also met Japan’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Taro Kono, who previously served as Foreign Minister. The meeting discussed the economic and commercial relations of the two countries and the effort to strengthen them further, following the recent visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Tokyo.
It should be noted, according to newsit, that last November Greece and Japan signed a Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation, which is expected to be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries in the near future.
Mr. Hatzidakis also had a brief meeting with the Swiss Minister of Economy, Education and Research, Guy Parmelin, who will visit Greece next week.
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