Environment, Energy & Climate Change Minister Yiannis Maniatis held an introductory meeting in Athens yesterday with the newly appointed Ambassador of Ireland to Greece, Noel Kilkenny.

The two officials discussed the prospects of cooperation between the two countries, both within the EU framework and bilaterally, in the sectors of energy efficiency, renewable enrgy sources (RES) and the environment. The two countries share common traits in these sectors.

The Irish ambassador informed Maniatis of the interest being expressed by Irish companies in the tender – now in progress – for the exploration and exploitation of twenty sea plots in western Greece.

Irish company Petroceltic holds a 33 percent stake in a consortium that has already been awarded exploration and exploitation rights in the Gulf of Patras, western Greece.