ATHENS, May 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes in the importance of upholding common moral values by Russia and Greece. He said it on Friday at a meeting with the Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Putin thank the Greek leadership, the Hellenic Orthodox Church and the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Universe, Bartholomew I for their support to his trip to the Holy Mount Athos where the millennium of Russian monastic presence will be celebrated.

"Quite probably. It’s not the dates that matter," he said. "What really matters is our common moral and ethical values."

"Russia and Greece are developing very profound spiritual ties that are deeply rooted in history," Putin said.

He recalled the Years of Russian culture in Greece and Greek culture in Russia that were held simultaneously this year.

"We can see the pace, at which these events are moving on," Putin said.