Greece seeks to keep controlling share of DESFA

Panagiotis Lafazanis, the Greek energy minister, said the government will not privatize the state gas company DEPA, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported.

SOCAR in 2013 won the tender to buy 66 percent of Desfa for 400 million euro. The European Commission has yet to authorize the takeover.

"Representatives of workers expressed their opposition to any form of privatization of DEPA or DESFA, pointing to serious negative consequences of the possible sale for the economy, consumers and employment,” the Greek Energy Ministry said in a statement. 

"They also expressed their categorical opposition to the previous government’s policy to liberalize the natural gas distribution market, saying this may lead to a significant increase of tariffs for consumers." 

Lafazanis said DEPA should and will remain in public ownership and under state control. As for DESFA, the government will try to keep a controlling share of the company after the European Commission decides on the deal.