“We hope that there will be a new page in Greek-Russian relations,” said Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Deputy Foreign Minister and Co-Chair of the Russia-Greece Joint Interministerial Committee, in an interview with the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, ahead of his visit to November 30.
Russia’s response to EU sanctions have caused a serious blow to Greece’s exports and especially to food, which have been reduced by half since 2014, said Mr. Varvitsiotis and stressed that the country is focusing its efforts “on increasing the shares in the Russian market of other competing sectors, with our high quality products “. As an example he mentioned the fur of Kastoria, the Greek jewelry, the processed food.
“Tourism is of particular importance to us, as it helps reduce the large trade deficit we have with your country, from which we supply traditional energy products and cereals,” he said.
“Unfortunately, due to a pandemic, we have received a small number of Russian tourists during this period, but we hope for a speedy resumption of the flows and look forward to the help of the Russian side. It is an issue on the agenda of our talks,” he said.
Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that “Greece understands the key role of Russia in the security architecture of Europe, in regional crises of our immediate neighborhood” and stressed that during his stay in Moscow he intends to discuss important international issues with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister. Alexander Grusko.
Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that in addition to crisis situations in areas of immediate neighborhood, it is necessary to discuss crises, such as in Afghanistan, which may have an impact on Greece.
“We recognize that in matters important to us, such as the Cyprus issue, Russia plays a positive role in the UN Security Council. We believe that our communication should be regular and effective,” he said.
Mr. Varvitsiotis stated that the visit of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Russia on December 8, 2021, will open a new page in the relations between the two countries.
According to him, the efforts of the two countries at this stage are focused on the fields of energy, transport, tourism, investment and interregional cooperation. “We hope that through the MDE Cooperation Protocol that will be signed in Moscow and with the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, there will be a new page in Greek-Russian relations,” he stressed.
As he reminded, Greece and Russia are connected by historical ties for centuries. “History always shows the way to the future, but the will to deepen our relations can be put into practice through specific agreements that are part of a more general partnership environment.”
“My country attaches great importance to the issue of bilateral investment cooperation, as well as to the development and deepening of bilateral economic relations and business cooperation in the fields of tourism, real estate, technology, energy and food,” he added. Mr. Varvitsiotis.
“The Russian side has already been given the operational program of the Public Private Property Development Fund, in order to investigate the interest of Russian companies and we are waiting for their response,” said Mr. Varvitsiotis.
“Russian investors are certainly welcome. However, they will have to adapt to the requirements of the existing legislation and become aware of the procedures provided,” he said.
He also stated that “the Greek economy has entered a rapid recovery path, is being transformed, internationalized and has become a pole of attraction for international investment schemes.”
“After 10 years of economic crisis and two years of health crisis, we are facing an upward multi-year growth cycle,” said Mr. Varvitsiotis.
He also said that Greece is considering the possibility of connecting Greek and Russian ports by ferry.
“It is known that Greek shipping is the largest in the world,” he said. “The institutional framework governing our bilateral maritime relations provides the possibility of sea, regular or not, interconnection of the two countries and through passenger or car ferries. The interest of Greek ports has been recorded and the possible cooperation and interconnection of Greek ports with Russian, particularly in southern Russia, which would increase trade and tourism flows. “
He clarified that the operation of such a line “should be subject to the evaluation of its viability by the potentially interested business entities”.
Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that Greece “from a geostrategic point of view, has undeniable advantages that reflect the position and attractiveness of its port potential”.
“This is the reason why large investments have been made in the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki. are welcome “.
“One of the issues of bilateral economic cooperation with special interest is the cooperation between ports and in matters of management and exchange of know-how”, concluded Mr. Varvitsiotis.
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