Greek, Russian Foreign Ministers to Discuss Energy Cooperation, Ukraine

Sergei Lavrov and Nikos Kotzias will talk over the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, gas deliveries, and cooperation in transport and finance.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will meet his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias on Wednesday in Moscow to discuss energy cooperation and the Ukrainian crisis.

Russia will become the first non-EU country to welcome the new Greek foreign minister.

Today: FM @NikosKotzias in #Moscow to meet with Russian FM Sergey #Lavrov at 12:00 (local time) @mfa_russia http://t.co/1e7DfPpk1H

— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) 11 февраля 2015

Greece is said to be interested in a gas hub on the Greek-Turkish border, Russia's assessment of the situation in Ukraine and possible ways to settle the conflict peacefully. Other issues to be discussed between the two parties also include cooperation in transport and finance.

The meeting in Moscow was initiated by Russia when Lavrov sent a telegram to Kotzias. The invitation came after the new Greek government spoke out against further anti-Russia sanctions.

After left-wing Syriza party won Greek parliamentary elections in January, Moscow said the two countries would have new opportunities to develop bilateral ties and initiated several meetings with Greek officials.

On February 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Russia. On February 3, new Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos was invited to visit Moscow in the near future to discuss defense cooperation.

At 12:30 press-conference of Sergey #Lavrov & #Greece FM @NikosKotzias http://t.co/v8N0EycPrF Live Stream http://t.co/nWWqhq3RBw @GreeceMFA

— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) 11 февраля 2015