FM meets with Russia’s Lavrov, stresses ‘excellent’ bilateral ties

Venizelos stressed the importance that Greece attaches to what he called a “strategic partnership relationship” with Russia, noting that the talks held on Wednesday confirmed the close historic, cultural, political, economic and defence links between the two countries.

The Greek minister said that Athens

desired a strong Russian presence in Greece via investments and the privatisations process, while referring to currently close cooperation in economic affairs, energy and tourism.

On the signature of a joint declaration proclaiming 2016 as ‘Greek Year’ in Russia and ‘Russian Year’ in Greece, Venizelos said that the two sides are “working on a framework of cultural cooperation for the coming years,” that would be an excellent opportunity to further develop bilateral relations.

“The joint statements that we signed today are more than just formal documents but an additional legal basis for the impetus we want to give to our relations,” he added.

Referring to Greece’s upcoming stint in the EU presidency in the first half of 2014, Venizelos stressed that an emphasis on EU-Russia relations was among the Greek presidency’s goals, which would seek to draw up a new “comprehensive agreement” between the EU and Russia. According to Venizelos, a joint statement Greece had signed with Russia on mobility issues also “aimed” at the full implementation on a European level of a programme to waive visa requirements for Russians.

“For us this is exceptionally important, because the Russian market is of vital importance for the Greek tourism industry,” he said.

On his part, Lavrov noted Russia’s desire to further develop bilateral relations and referred to cooperation on a regional and international level, saying his contacts in Athens had confirmed the high level of Greek-Russian relations.

He referred to a record rise in trade transactions between Greece and Russia in 2012, saying these had risen to 6.5 billion dollars and were continuing to increase in 2013. He also confirmed strong interest among Russian firms in prospective privatisations in Greece, while referring to a sharp rise in the number of Russians visiting Greece as tourists.

Lavrov also welcomed Greece’s expressed intent to promote EU-Russian relations when it took over the rotating EU presidency, including the aim of abolishing visa requirements for Russians wanting to visit the EU, and hailed the signature of a joint statement with Venizelos for a mobility programme, noting the sincere desire of the Greek and Russian sides to deepen bilateral relations.

Replying to questions concerning bilateral ties and Russian investments, Lavrov pointed out that “contact with Greece has never been lacking” and that both sides had expressed their intention for “effective cooperation” with regards to privatisations.

He called for mutually beneficial agreements that will express the interests of the Greek side and ensure the security of Russian investments in Greece.

Venizelos, on his part, pointed to the opportunities for investment in Greece and said that “we want Greek enterprises to be present in the Russian market and especially in the construction and agricultural products sector”.

According to diplomatic sources, negotiations between the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) and Russia’s Gazprom over the price of natural gas are heading toward a conclusion, with the Greek side expecting a substantial reduction in the sale price to Greece to be announced soon. Russian firms have also expressed an interest in acquiring the Greek trains operator TRAINOSE, the Thessaloniki Port Organisation and other projects, especially those linked to the energy sector.

The same sources also referred to a revival of interest on the Russian side in the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and said that problems concerning the hydroelectric plants at Sykia and Pefkofyto were “heading toward a solution”.

The two men said their talks had touched on the situation in Syria and the Middle East, developments in Iran, the Cyprus issue and Greece’s role in preserving the stability of the Balkans, including the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Regarding Syria, both Lavrov and Venizelos called for a political solution, with Lavrov saying that the U.S.-Russian initiative was the only realistic proposal for an exit from the crisis and stressing Russia’s “sincere efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue and agreements”.

Venizelos praised the U.S.-Russia initiative on Syria and said that a solution must arise via a political route, adding that all sides in Syria must work together and contribute in good faith to an exit from the crisis.

Asked to comment on the phone-tapping issue and the recent revelations that U.S. secret services had been eavesdropping on even the leaders of their European allies, Lavrov expressed his conviction that “everyone knew everything” and that it was hypocritical to say “we aren’t doing anything that others aren’t doing”.

Source: AMNA