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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
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Author : A. Maslov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Hellenic Republic
This interview was conducted by Alexander Gasiuk, Rossiiskaia gazeta correspondent in Greece.
The new Greek government not only sustains con-
tinuity in our relations but has also expressed the
desire to develop them at a faster pace. Our bilateral
cooperation has clearly remained stalled for several
years, and today there is a chance to revitalize it.
The preparation of the program for the Russia Year
in Greece and the Greece Year in Russia in 2016
will be an important factor in our interaction. We
are determined to cooperate with Greece inten-
sively and see it as a serious and friendly partner that
is open to dialogue. Russian-Greek relations rest on a solid, time-tested foundation - mutual
emotional affinity and warmth, the shared cultural legacy of the two Orthodox Christian na-
tions, many centuries of cooperation between them, including during wartime, and close in-
tertwining of individual lives.
We want to resume our equitable and mutually respectful political dialogue with the European
Union. For this reason, we would undoubtedly have welcomed any offer to mediate in such
a dialogue from a country that is close to us because of cultural similarities, historical ties,
and shared traditions and is simultaneously a member of the EU.
We highly appreciate the role of Greece in restoring relations between Russia and NATO
after Georgia's aggression against South Ossetia in 2008. Athens launched what became
known as the Corfu Process and was a catalyst in the resumption of cooperation between
Moscow and the alliance. Today as well, our European partners would be advised to heed
sober-minded proposals from Athens for how to improve the dialogue atmosphere between
Russia and the EU.
On the Ukraine issue, Athens firmly supports the Minsk agreements, urges the parties to the
conflict to start negotiations, and offers mediation.
Russian-Greek relations rest on a solid, time-tested foundation - mutual emotional affinity
and warmth, the shared cultural legacy of the two Orthodox Christian nations, many centuries
of cooperation between them, including during wartime, and close intertwining of individual
lives.
Greece seeks to be a serious player in the Southern European gas market and a transit country
in gas transmission to the Balkans and Central Europe. Participation in this project would
benefit Greece because it would not only bring the advantages of being a transit country but
also mean the creation of jobs as it would involve building infrastructure facilities.
Russia and Greece: A Time-Tested Relationship