Ο Πρωθυπουργός κ. Αντώνης Σαμαράς δέχθηκε σήμερα τον υπουργό Εξωτερικών της Ρωσικής Ομοσπονδίας, κ. Sergey Lavrov

Ο Πρωθυπουργός κ. Αντώνης Σαμαράς δέχθηκε σήμερα τον υπουργό Εξωτερικών της Ρωσικής Ομοσπονδίας, κ. Sergey Lavrov. Κατά τη διάρκεια της συνάντησης έγινε ο εξής διάλογος, παρουσία των δημοσιογράφων:

Antonis Samaras: I am very pleased to welcome you in Greece. Russia is a country with which we share important historic long standing relationships and common interests. When our Ambassador, a few days ago, was presented to President Putin, President Putin said that we have traditionally close partnership. And I think that this strategic relation is very important for both of us and it is an important element in our foreign policy. I think we have the political will to activate our bilateral relations and bring them to the necessary level. I want to thank you very much for coming to Athens. It is a real pleasure to have you here.

Sergey Lavrov: Thank very much, Mr. Prime Minister. Indeed, I am honored to be granted such a warm welcome in Athens and, as you said, our relationship is indeed based on the very foundation of a long long friendship and mutual respect, spiritual roots and it was reiterated once again, not only when the President of the Russian Federation was receiving the credentials from your Ambassador, but also in his recent message to you.

We sympathize with the efforts of your government to overcome some difficulties in the Economy. We take note of the progress and would be supporting your efforts in whatever way we can by moral ways, but also, by promoting our trade and economic cooperation. We think the governmental commission, which made in April, agreed on some important things to be implemented. We will stay the course and we will enjoy the cooperation in all areas where our Greek friends are ready to reciprocate.

And finally, I would like to mention that the number of the Russians visiting Greece is growing and this year the important is that we will reach the level of more than one million people. And we will be very well to welcome more Greeks in Russia.

Antonius Samaras: Thank you very much. We really appreciate it. The tourist part was very important, because, believe me, a foreign currency dropping like rain in a dehydrate economy is very important. We really thank you for this.