- Sputnik International
Russia
The latest news and stories from Russia. Stay tuned for updates and breaking news on defense, politics, economy and more.

Greek premier visits Russia for Putin, Medvedev talks

Subscribe
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will pay a working visit to Russia on Monday at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will pay a working visit to Russia on Monday at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said.

The sides are due to discuss a wide specter of bilateral cooperation issues, including the economy, energy, and military and technical matters.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said Papandreou and Putin were also expected to discuss Russia's relations with NATO, European Union and the OSCE, and cooperation in tourism, culture and other areas.

"We will have a chance to discuss issues of particular interest as the Balkans, relations with Turkey and events surrounding the Cyprus issue," a Greek Foreign Ministry official said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with Papandreou on Tuesday.

Russia, Greece and Bulgaria signed an agreement in 2007 on building the 280-km Trans-Balkan pipeline to pump Russian and Caspian oil from the Bulgarian port of Burgas to the Greek port of Alexandroupolis. The pipeline project is controlled by a consortium of Russian state-run companies.

Once completed, the pipeline will pump 35 million metric tons of oil a year (257 million bbl), a volume that could eventually be increased to 50 million metric tons (368 million bbl). Under the inter-governmental agreement, Russia holds 51% in the project company, while Greece and Bulgaria hold 24.5% each.

Greece has also joined the South Stream gas project, which is a part of Russia's efforts to cut dependence on traditional transit nations while circumventing the need for the EU-backed Nabucco, which would bypass Russia. It is scheduled to be completed by 2015.

MOSCOW, February 15 (RIA Novosti)

 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала