Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov in Athens
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the Greek-Russian Energy Conference, held within the framework of the 4th Greek-Russian Social Forum, at Zappeion.
While in Athens Lavrov met with Greek Prime Minsiter Alexis Tsipras, Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias and Environment and Energy Minister Panos Skourletis.
During the meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Sergey Lavrov said:
“We are very satisfied with how the cross-cultural year between Russia and Greece is going, whose events arouse great public interest in both countries. I am sure the year will further strengthen our friendship rooted in our historical and spiritual ties.
There are some problems in our trade and economic relations. However, the Russian-Greek Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation, which opened its session today, will certainly discuss ways to overcome the negative trend. We are sure of that.
We welcome the spectacular growth of Russian tourism in Greece, and energy cooperation also has good prospects, as our representatives report.
We will certainly discuss with our Greek friends, both today and subsequently, possible ways to help resolve the conflicts in the Middle East. As far as Syria and the Cyprus are concerned, we are convinced that what matters most for achieving a settlement is following through on what was agreed while adopting UN Security Council resolutions.
We are firmly committed to the principles the UN Security Council has approved as the foundation of a settlement in Cyprus. We reject all attempts to revise or reinterpret them, set artificial deadlines or interfere in the talks between the two Cypriot communities.
The same goes for Syria. The UN Security Council resolution that sets forth everything was passed almost a year ago. Its implementation is hampered, however, because the so-called moderate opposition would not disassociate itself from terrorists, and the political process that was to begin without preconditions has not been launched yet”.
SOURCE/PHOTO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
