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The Russian side proposed to Athens to go beyond the mutual restrictions by creating joint ventures. Another important point in the relations of the two countries was the construction of the Turkish Stream, part of which will pass through the territory of Greece. These and many other issues, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed with his Greek colleagues during his visit to Athens from 1-2 November

On 2 November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Foreign Minister Nikos Kodzias and representatives of the country\'s opposition. Relations between the two countries are distinguished by their friendliness and similar positions on many issues on the foreign policy agenda.

About tourism

In addition to the traditionally high volumes in the trade and economic sector, tourism came to the fore in bilateral contacts. When Egypt and Turkey became closed to Russian citizens, Greece gladly replaced these popular tourist destinations. And even after the normalization of Russian-Turkish relations and the opening of borders, the Russian flow to Greece only increases. In the first half of 2016, the tourist flow increased by 20% compared to the same period of 2015.

Sergey Lavrov called the number of tourists from Russia to Greece this year a record one and noted that Moscow hopes that “more and more Russians will choose Greece as their place of rest.”

About sanctions

Both sides note the negative impact of anti-Russian EU sanctions and the ensuing Russian embargo for the EU countries. Greece, which supplied most of the agricultural products in the Russian Federation, suffered more than many EU colleagues.

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, in 2014, trade turnover decreased by 39.2%, in 2015 - by another 34%. However, both Russia and Greece are looking for a solution to this problem. As a source in Russian foreign policy circles told Izvestia, Moscow suggested, within the framework of the Russian-Greek commission for economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation, that Athens should circumvent sanctions by setting up joint ventures.

- Russia cannot make an exception for one country, therefore Moscow proposed mixed production. In the near future, we expect a response from the Greek side on this issue. This question was raised at negotiations in Athens, - the source told.

About "Turkish Stream"

Another point in bilateral relations requires a solution. Russia is waiting for guarantees regarding the part of the Turkish Stream, which will pass through the territory of Greece. Moscow will be ready to extend the second line of the pipeline, which will run through Greece and the Ionian Sea to southern Italy, only after written guarantees from the European Union.

Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement on the Turkish Stream on 10 October in Istanbul. Gazprom should build the first branch for Turkish consumers by the end of 2019.

At the same time, many experts note that the European Union may again hinder the supply of Russian gas to the European market. As the main danger, the Russian side calls the possible reluctance of Europeans to build a continuation of the pipeline, after Moscow leads the branch to the Turkish-Greek border.

About Syria

Russia and Greece have similar positions on resolving the Syrian crisis. During the meeting with the Greek president, both sides noted the need to throw away the misunderstandings of Russia and the West and jointly continue the fight against terrorism in the Middle East.

However, Mr. Lavrov again recalled the promises of Washington to delimit the militants and the opposition.

“I remember very well that when we adopted this resolution (on Syria), John Kerry declared: “Those who want to be a party to the settlement must immediately break with the terrorists.” ”These are golden words, and we still expect that they will acquire flesh and be confirmed,” the Russian minister said.

As for the political settlement, the Russian Foreign Minister recalled that “in the midst of the “Arab spring”, which everyone enthusiastically welcomed, Russia urged to solve all problems not through regime change, but through inclusive political dialogue between all ethnic and religious groups in Egypt, and in Libya, and in Syria."

Cyprus Settlement

The second topic of the foreign policy agenda, which Sergey Lavrov discussed in Athens, was the Cyprus settlement. As with the Syria issue, the resolution of the problem of Cyprus is hampered by the failure of some countries to comply with the UN Security Council resolution.

- Some parties are not fully implementing the UN Security Council resolution, trying to replace the principles of settlement with new interpretations, this only leads the situation to a dead end. “Attempts to exert pressure on the process from the outside and to establish artificial deadlines are not acceptable,” said the Russian Foreign Minister.

Sergei Lavrov recalled that, according to the resolution, the Cyprus settlement and all related issues - security, sovereignty - should be decided by the Cypriots themselves. However, Turkey, Greece and representatives of the UN Secretary General and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council continue to help in this.

Izvestia, tks.ru, 3 November 2016