Greek Official Says Sanctions Against Russia Damage Economy of Greece

The Greek Deputy Foreign Minister said Greece does not agree with sanctions against Russia, adding that they bring negative consequences for the country's economy.

MOSCOW, January 28 (Sputnik) — Greece is against sanctions imposed on Russia, as they damage the Greek economy, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister said in an interview with Athens-Macedonian News Agency Wednesday.

"We do not agree with the spirit of the sanctions against Russia that bring negative consequences not only for agriculture but for the country's economy in general," local media quoted Nikolaos Chountis as saying.

There are other European countries that also disagree with the sanctions against Russia because of their consequences, Chountis added.

Earlier on Tuesday, EU leaders asked the Foreign Affairs Council to consider new sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in the shelling of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol earlier his month, in which at least 30 civilians were killed.

The newly-elected Greek government, led by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed the country's "discontent" to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, underlining that the EU statement was released without the consent of the member states.

The Syriza party, or the Coalition of the Radical Left, headed by Alexis Tsipras, won parliamentary elections in Greece on Sunday.

Earlier in January, the Incofruit-Hellas association of Greek enterprises exporting fruit, vegetables and juices said in a report that the country’s farmers have lost $46.7 million in fruit and vegetable exports due to the one-year food ban introduced by Russia in August 2014. The ban was a response to sanctions imposed on Russia earlier over the country's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.