The mutual desire for closer cooperation between Greece and Russia in the electric power sector was expressed by the two countries' delegations during the enlarged talks held between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

This was stated to Greek reporters by Development Minister Christos Folias, who said that "all the energy issues are open" and "on a short-term basis, we are also interested in the transportation of electric power from Russia to Greece and on a medium and long-term basis whatever other sector."

According to the Greek minister, the issue of cooperation in the electric power sector was entered in the agenda of talks last December during the Greek prime minister's previous visit to Moscow, and it was raised again during his talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

On the question of the progress of the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, Folias said that the aim of the Greek government is for "there to be something specific before 2008", meaning a specific timetable that will also allow the companies interested to see "their investment producing results as soon as possible."

With regards to the inter-state agreement on the procurement of Russian natural gas, the development minister said that its validity will cover Greece until 2016, with the possibility of an extension until 2026, but the Greek side desires coverage until at least 2040.

Source: Athens News Agency

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