Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko to visit Athens
Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Government Executive Office, Sergei Prikhodko, on March 11th will visit Athens to participate in the official ceremony of the launch of the “Russia-Greece Cross-Cultural Year”, an initiative that is running throughout 2016. Prikhodko is also the Russian co-chairman of the Russia-Greece Cross-Year organising committee.
During 2016, the two countries will hold some 100 events that will focus on economic cooperation, science, education, tourism and inter-regional ties, also paying special attention to cooperation in the areas of culture and arts.
The cross-year programme will open with an exhibition of golden Scythian items from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in the Acropolis of Athens. These items were discovered during archaeological expeditions in the first half of the 19th century and are part of the unique cultural heritage of ancient Scythians.
During his visit to Athens, Mr Prikhodko will meet with executives of the Government of the Hellenic Republic.
President Putin and Greek PM Tsipras discuss Syrian crisis
President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Thursday had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Alexis Tsipras on the initiative of the Greek side. The exchange covered pressing matters of bilateral cooperation with both sides confirming their resolve to strengthen mutually advantageous ties in various fields, primarily trade, investment and energy. It was noted that the events planned for the reciprocal Years of Culture in 2016 between Greece and Russia, as well as celebrations to mark 1,000 years since Russian monks settled on Mount Athos would open up new opportunities to bring the two nations closer together.
The discussion of international issues focussed mainly on the Syrian crisis, stressing the need to observe the ceasefire in that country. The President of Russia said ensuring the ceasefire was a key factor in normalising the internal situation and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region, as well as an important step on the way to a political settlement within Syria. The Greek Prime Minister stated his high assessment of the efforts made and spoke in detail of the measures taken by the European Union to resolve the refugee crisis. The parties agreed on a plan of future contacts at various levels.
SOURCE: Government of the Russian Federation
