Karamanlis cites growing cooperation with Russia

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Karamanlis cites growing cooperation with Russia

Α firm policy adopted by Greece and Russia promotes peace and stability in the Balkans and the wider SE Mediterranean region, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed in an interview with the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS this week, and ahead of his official visit to Moscow on Tuesday.

"We have mutual interests in development and prosperity, while our views are close on many international issues," the PM said, while expressing his pleasure and satisfaction for his third visit to Moscow and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he called "a great European leader and a friend of Greece".

Putin's meeting with Karamanlis will be among his last as the president of Russia considering that Dmitry Medvedev will be sworn-in as president on May 7.

In the interview published Thursday, Karamanlis reiterated that he was pleased because Greece and Russia have achieved closer ties during the past four years though a "substantive, intense and close cooperation on major issues of mutual interest."

Putin called this cooperation as "strategic" in 2004, the PM said.

"The current circumstances work in favor of a multi-beneficial visit for the Greek and the Russian people," PM Karamanlis said, pointing out that he is looking forward to meeting president-elect Medvedev, considering that there are numerous challenges still lying ahead and even more opportunities to further strengthen relations in all sectors.

On the Greek-Russian cooperation in the energy sector, Karamanlis said it is substantive, with expanding prospects, pointing out that by the end of 2015 Greece will consume seven billion sq.metres of natural gas, 80 percent of which will come from Russia. He underlined the importance of the European energy security, adding that diversification of energy sources constitutes a priority for European countries, while pointing out that a considerable quantity of oil and natural gas will enter the European market from the Caspian Sea region in the very near future.

Referring to the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the Greek PM stated that the project's course is proceeding as scheduled, adding that an international consortium that has taken over its construction and management has already been established in the Netherlands.

Caption: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (R) accompanies Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit by the latter to Athens, in file photo dated March 15, 2007. ANA-MPA / SIMELA PANTZARTZI.