consumers through the construction of an under-
sea link.
The news is also encouraging in the field of
hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation, where
major foreign companies, together with Greek
companies are carrying out joint explorations of
undersea blocks in the Ionian Sea.
That said, one of the main priorities of the Ministry
of Environment and Energy is the issue of zoning.
The non-resolution of this issue will continue to
impede the launching of major development proj-
ects.
According to Mr. Stathakis, this sector of the
Greek economy is plagued by three chronic prob-
lems:
1. the vagueness of property rights on land;
2. the lack of comprehensive spatial planning;
and
3. the ambiguity regarding land use.
In a country that is characterised by a mostly
mountainous landscape combined with a high
degree of insularity, and where 25% of the sur-
face has been given a “Natura 2000” designation,
spatial planning is key for attracting environmen-
tally viable investment projects.
“As regards property rights, we are setting a high
standard, aiming to have the National Cadastre
completed by 2020,” stresses Mr. Stathakis. “At
the same time, we will create a new agency that
will encompass the existing system of property
registration at land registry offices.”
Mr. Stathakis also has announced that: “As regards
spatial planning, we are reforming the entire
regime, with the aim of promoting an environmen-
tally and spatially viable type of entrepreneurship. I
would like to clarify that this will not create new
administrative burdens on doing business. Quite
the contrary: we are talking about a comprehen-
sive planning system that will ensure legal certain-
ty for investment projects, always in the context of
the environmental targets that have been set on
the international and European levels.”
Finally, as far as land use is concerned, the
Ministry is fine-tuning the existing legislative
framework. The aim is to promote urban entre-
preneurship, ensuring at the same time the city
dwellers’ living standards – this aim is totally com-
patible with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Growth. Finally, the new proposals regarding land
use are focused on the productive reconstruction
and protection of the countryside.
Trade with Greece
102
