Saturday, January 28, 2012

Greek Conservative Leader Antonis Samaras Meets With Vladimir Putin in Moscow



The Thursday meeting between Russian PM Vladimir Putin and New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras lasted for more than an hour, with talks focusing on improving and re-strengthening bilateral relations that had frozen lately due to a halt in the two countries’ energy cooperation.
“My meeting with the prime minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, took place in a very good climate and was exhaustive on all issues,” Samaras told reporters afterwards, according to ANA-MPA.
Samaras informed the Russian PM on the current situation in Greece and underlined the chances of developement and investments emerging in the debt-hit country. Putin on his part expressed his serious interest in aiding Greece and overcoming the problems of the past.
Samaras commented that Russia can become a valuable friend for Greece in the future and promised to stay in contact with the Russian side.
The two political leaders of the conservatives parties in Greece and Russia have also discussed the financial crisis of the Eurozone and exhanged views on future economic cooperation between the two coutnries, especially in terms of energy, privatisation and infrastructure projects in Greece.
According to ANA-MPA, Putin placed particular emphasis on the issue of construction of the southern portion of the South Stream natural gas pipeline, whose construction is being accelerated and will start before the end of 2012, instead of the spring of 2013.
Moreover, the failed Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline project has been thoroughly discussed, while the Greek representative also commented on issues such as the tourist visas for Russians wishing to come to Greece and the expansion of the Greek exports in the country.

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