Greece to Become Bridge Between Iran, EU - Prime Minister

Greece intends to become an economic and energy bridge between the European Union and Iran, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Sunday, Tsipras arrived in Tehran to strengthen political and economic ties with Iran, including in the energy field.

"Greece will become an energy, economic and trade bridge between Iran and European Union," Tsipras said, as quoted by the Mega television channel.

The two counties can cooperate in technology and innovation, energy, trade and culture sectors, the prime minister said.

Greece and Iran launched discussions to resume Iranian oil deliveries to Greece two weeks ago, after Tehran was found in compliance of a landmark nuclear deal allowing the lifting of years-long sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iran delivered an estimated 100,000 barrels of oil per day to Greece in 2011, a figure equaling one-third of the Hellenic Republic’s total oil imports.

In 2012, Iran’s oil exports were slashed in half after the European Union and the United States imposed sanctions against Tehran as punishment for what they believed was Iran's covert pursuit of nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program.