Russia Ready to Help Greece Out Economically - Russian Envoy to EU

Russian Envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said that Moscow is prepared to help Greece out economically, including economic cooperation in privatizing the country’s infrastructure.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – Russia is prepared to help Greece out economically, including economic cooperation in privatizing the country’s infrastructure, Russian Envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said.

“Russia is ready to cooperate with Greece. As far as I know, Greece has not turned to Russia for direct financial aid. We have the ability of increasing our economic cooperation, in particular Greece has the ability of privatizing, including railroads and the port [in Thessaloniki],” he told RIA Novosti in an interview.

Greece's state debt exceeds $350 billion, of which $270 billion is owed to the European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the eurozone countries.

On Tuesday, the debt-ridden country failed to repay part of its debt to the IMF on time, practically defaulting on the institution.

Earlier this week, Greek Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis said that the country has not officially asked for Russia’s help, but Moscow’s financial assistance would be "handy."

Lafazanis has also said that the development of Greece-Russia relations could contribute to substantial financial and energy-related benefits for Athens.