Strengthening, deepening and expansion of Greek-Russian economic relations were the focus of today’s videoconference between Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis and Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Saveliev. The two co-chairs of the Greek-Russian Joint Interministerial Committee underscored the historical ties between the two countries, which are also reconfirmed by the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, to Athens for the celebration of the bicentennial of the launch of the Greek Revolution of 1821.
Mr. Varvitsiotis, having referred to the reopening of air connections between the two countries, stressed Greece’s intention to increase the number of Russians entering Greece from 500 to 4,000 per week, so as to serve a larger number of passengers. “As of May,” he noted, “we will be in a position – in a spirit of hospitality – to welcome all of our Russian friends who wish to visit Greece.”
The Alternate Minister also highlighted the will to expand Greek-Russia trade relations in other sectors of mutual interest, beyond tourism, such as energy, road and rail transport, infrastructure, digital services, construction, technology and agricultural products. He put special emphasis on strengthening Greek agricultural exports and facilitating joint ventures between Greek and Russian enterprises.
Finally, the Alternate Minister reiterated Greece’s request for the repatriation of the archives of the Greek Jewish Community, which were transported from Berlin to Moscow at the end of World War II. “It is important for both sides, in the context of the Common History Year, to resolve this problem, essentially sending the message that our cultural and historical relations are forging ahead,” he said.
