Putin promises investment for Greece

Athens, April 9, (dpa/GNA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said his country will not make an exception for Greece regarding Moscow's ban on food imports from European Union nations, but vowed to co-operate closely with Athens on energy and investment.

He was speaking during a visit to Moscow by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose country had hoped for an easing of Russian import restictions, imposed last year after the EU placed economic sanctions on Moscow for its role in the Ukraine crisis.

"It is unfortunate that counter sanctions which have been imposed on the West have affected Greece ... but we cannot make any exceptions for any country in the EU," Putin told journalists, arguing that Greece had been forced to vote for the sanctions against Russia.

But in Brussels earlier, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said the EU was "united" so far in its sanctions decisions. Restrictive measures are agreed unanimously by all 28 member states.

"All members of the family do not travel necessarily to the same places, but they are all members of the family and they have the same view of the world," Schinas said, in reference to Tsipras' trip to Russia.

The commission had warned Athens earlier this week not to seek a separate deal on the import ban with Moscow, arguing that the EU should remain united on the issue.

Greece's farmers have suffered extensively from the ban, as more than 40 per cent of the country's agricultural products were destined for the Russian market.

"We [have] openly disapproved of the sanctions. It is not an efficient solution. We believe it could bring about a new Cold War between Russia and the West," Tsipras said in Moscow. "The counter sanctions imposed by Russia have caused pain on the Greek economy."

Tsipras is expected to discuss the embargo in more detail during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday.

Putin said Greece and Russia will adopt a joint plan of action for 2015 and 2016, agreeing to cooperate closely in investment and tourism.

"Russia is prepared to bid for infrastructure projects in Greece and all we ask is that our companies are not viewed any less favourably than companies bidding from other countries," said Putin, adding that Russia's railways are in talks to modernize the northern Greek port of Thessaloniki.

While Putin remained vague on Greece's potential participation in the Turkish Stream pipeline project, he said there was a good possibility Greece could become a European energy distribution hub.

Athens is heavily reliant on Russian energy imports and has indicated its interest in becoming a European hub for the natural gas pipeline project.

The pipeline foresees transporting Russian gas through Turkey and then on to Europe.

Putin said Greece's international creditors stood to gain should the Greek economy improve as a result of closer ties with Russia.

Tsipras' controversial visit to Russia is taking place at a critical time for Greece, as the government is working to reach agreement on reforms with its international creditors, in return for bailout aid needed to help Athens meet hefty debt repayment deadlines.

Relations have been particularly tense between Greece and its creditors since Tsipras came to power on an anti-austerity platform in January.

Despite Greece's agreements with lenders, critics argue that the government has been slow in adopting the economic reforms that could restore the country's growth and competitiveness.

There was some speculation that Tsipras might request financial aid from Russia during his visit, something the Russian president denied.

"The Greek side did not bring up the issue of a loan," Putin told journalists during a joint press conference.

Ahead of the talks, Tsipras, accompanied by a Greek delegation that includes veterans from World War II, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in central Moscow.

GNA