Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-17

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis on official visit to Moscow, gives interviews on eve of visit

[01] PM Karamanlis on official visit to Moscow, gives interviews on eve of visit

"The big energy links constitute a strategic option for Greece, which we serve with consistency,? the Greek prime minister stated in an interview he gave to the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, describing the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the natural gas pipeline South Stream as confirmation of the Euro-Russian strategic relation in the energy sector, "but also a positive development in diversifying the channels of Europe's supply of oil and natural gas."

"It's natural and logical for the interest of the European Union, which is energy dependent, to centre on the secure supply and diversifying its dependency from sources and route channels. In this logic is incorporated a series of initiatives, with the most characteristic this energy dialogue with Russsia," Karamanlis said.

The meeting with President Putin "will give a new impetus in our entire energy plans," said Karamanlis in another interview with the Russian-language megazine "Ellada" (Greece), which is published since spring in Moscow in cooperation with ANA-MPA. "Through these, Greece is converted into a significant channel of energy tranpsort, in a substantial energy hub and contributes in Europe's energy sufficiency. We attribute particular importance to this effort, with planned moves and with a substantial as well as stable national policy regarding sought targets," the prime minister said.

"Greek-Russian relations are henceforth in a new, dynamic orbit. The progress is particularly visiible these past years. Their level is excellent and I attribute this both to the historic good relations between our two countries and peoples and to their continuously developing prospects," said the prime minister in the same interview, noting the "excellent relations we have with Russian President Putin."

Commenting on existing "friction" in Russia-EU-NATO relations, the prime minister expressed the hope that "the remaining pending matters will be soon solved, so as to start as soon as possible the negotiations for the signing of a new EU-Russia Agreement." Regarding Russia-NATO relations, he added:"Russia is a very important factor, it contributes substantially in the consolidation of security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic space. Therefore, Greece, from the start, was with consistency a stable supporter of progress in NATO-Russia relations. We look forward to the deepening of the political consultations, within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, in crucial issues of the international scene, such as the Balkans, Afghanistan, central Asia and the Midddle East, in which the Russian experience no one is allowed to underestimate." He noted that the political dialogue must continue "also in issues in whiich the two sides disagree, so as to cultivate mutual trust with necessary transparency."

With regard the decision for the procurement of Russian tanks, the prime minister said "the criterion of our foreign policy, but also of our national security policy is the maintenance of peace and of international stability, with first priority the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean." He also referred to "the need of a continuous strengthening of our armed forces, so as to consolidate the feeling of security within society and to operate successfully, in accordance with the demands of the composite geo-political environment" as well as in "constructive cooperation" between the two countries, which is "steadily strengthened, with all the prospects of its broadening, among which the co-production of weapons systems, thus contributing in the developmental prospects of Greece and Russia."

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