ATHENS, November 2. /TASS/. The relations between Russia and Greece develop progressively in all areas despite the current uneasy situation in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the fourth Russian-Greek Forum of Civil Societies on Wednesday.

"The implementation of a major Cross Years project reflects the atmosphere of trust between the countries and friendship between our peoples. Despite the uneasy situation in Europe, our relations develop progressively in all areas," said Lavrov, who is paying a two-day working visit to Greece.

Russia’s top diplomat said amid the current challenging situation on the global arena the role of civil societies in forming a positive agenda is growing. "Over the past years, several particular steps were made by the Foreign Ministry to maintain dialogue between inter-state bodies and NGOs," he said.

The Russian Council for International Affairs and the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund were created, Lavrov said. "The Civil Societies Forum is making its contribution as it brings together all those who are sincerely interested in developing the Russian-Greek relations."

Energy cooperation

Moscow and Athens have significant potential in energy sector, Lavrov said.

"Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow Athens will host the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic, industrial and scientific cooperation; We share the opinion that we have a significant potential in energy sector. It is likely that we are facing a special discussion with a view to a specific result," Lavrov said.

Earlier, speaking at a Russia-Greek forum of interregional cooperation, Deputy Transport Minister Sergey Aristov expressed hope that the coming meeting of the intergovernmental commission will be "a symbolic outcome of the bilateral relations of the year." He also said that the two countries have potential to carry out investment projects in hi-tech and tourism sectors.