ATHENS, October 8. /TASS/. Russia and Greece are set to enhance investment cooperation and are motivated to minimize economic damage to the two countries’ relationship caused by sanctions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksey Meshkov said on Saturday following his visit to Athens.

"Yesterday I held intense talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Foreign Ministry Secretary General Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos," Meshkov said. "We focused on a wide range of relations of Russia and Greece as the situation in the world and in Europe, including due to sanctions, is not simple."

"Both Moscow and Athens have common interest in inflicting the least damage to the Russian-Greek economic ties," he said. "We are set to boost investment cooperation. We also discussed the main world problems, in particular the Ukraine crisis and the situation around Syria."

The Russian diplomat noted "a very high degree of understanding with the Greek counterparts."

"Essentially, the main goal of my visit was preparations for the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov here in early November," Meshkov said in conclusion.