Former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras's associates have issued sharp comments following Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou's statements in Parliament about Greece's energy agreement with Chevron and HELLENiQ for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete and the Peloponnese. The criticisms highlight ongoing concerns that the government has not sufficiently responded to specific issues raised by Samaras's team. They argue that, contrary to government assurances, certain geographical boundaries and international objections remain unaddressed in the ongoing negotiations.

The spokespersons emphasized three critical points: firstly, they assert that the trilateral point is not located within the stated lateral limits, which the government claimed. Secondly, they point out that Egypt has not voiced any objections regarding the agreement, which raises questions about regional approval. Finally, they insist that the current contract does not invalidate what they describe as the 'illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum,' contradicting previous government claims. This statement seeks to underscore the potential pitfalls of the current energy strategy and poses questions about the government's diplomatic approach regarding energy partnerships.

This critique comes in the context of heightened sensitivity around energy agreements in the Eastern Mediterranean, where geopolitical tensions with Turkey and Libya are particularly salient. The debate among political figures signals a persistent division on how to effectively manage Greece's energy resources while navigating complex international relations. Samaras's comments may resonate not only within political circles in Greece but also with public sentiment regarding national sovereignty in energy exploration dealings.