ATHENS, February 04. /ITAR-TASS/. Greece awaits and welcomes Russian investments in its economy, Greek President Karolos Papoulias said in an exclusive interview with Itar-Tass ahead of his February 6 trip to the opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The president described the two countries’ political, diplomatic and cultural relations as close and reflecting “the depth of historical ties between the two peoples, based on a solid foundation”, especially noting Russia’s rigid stance on the issue of territorial division in Cyprus.
He added, though, that the two countries could achieve more since as a country presiding in the EU, Greece “hopes for a new EU-Russia agreement that would lend these relations strategic depth”.
“Adherence to international law underlies the two countries’ rapprochement as well as common cause against terrorism,” Papoulias said. Bilateral trade relations had developed at an impressive pace, the president said, adding that 1.2 million Russians visited Greece last year.
“Russian investments in Greece can only be welcomed, and we await them,” he said.