JOURNALIST: Mr. Katrougalos, how much importance is placed, in Greece, on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ visit to Moscow?
G. KATROUGALOS: Greece and Russia are friendly countries, with are bound through good relations. Our countries are linked through cultural, religious, and historical bonds. Another important element is the mutual affinity of the Greeks and the Russians towards one another. Athens continuously works towards improving cooperation with Moscow.
During the course of the talks, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and President Vladimir Putin will broach various political issues. It is clear that any time the leaders of two countries meet, among other things, talks also pertain to geopolitics. The main emphasis will be placed on the prospects of deepening economic cooperation and on methods of strengthening bilateral relations in this field.
In addition, discussion will also take place about strengthening the cultural ties and contacts between our peoples and our countries. From this perspective, we are considering that next year may be dedicated to culture. Specifically, it can be the year of the Russian language in Greece, and of the Greek language in Russia. The deepening of cooperation between the Universities of the two countries is being examined.
JOURNALIST: Which fields of cooperation are of interest to Athens in the dialogue with Russia?
G. KATROUGALOS: Athens is recovering after a serious economic crisis. Over the past two years, we‘ve seen growth in the national economy. We expect the GDP to be approximately 2.5% in 2019. From this perspective, Athens is interested in attracting investments, inter alia from friendly countries such as Russia as well. By the way, Russian enterprises are already investing tens of millions of euros in projects in the Greek tourism sector.
In general terms, we are trying to reorganise the national economic model, as well as to utilise the possibilities of our multidimensional foreign policy. Given Greece's geopolitical position, we wish to become a sort of bridge between different continents and countries.
First of all, we are talking about realising the country's potential as a centre for transportation and logistics. From this perspective, Athens is promoting cooperation with Beijing. We are attempting to incorporate the Chinese initiative “One Belt, One Road” into European cooperation programmes. Greece is also aspiring to become an energy hub. Thus, the project of the TAP natural gas pipeline is close to completion, while our plans include the creation of a number of interconnections with Balkan countries.
JOURNALIST: Is Greece interested in expanding the “TurkStream” natural gas pipeline through its territory?
G. KATROUGALOS: As I have already mentioned, Greece would like to develop into an energy hub, and this does not exclude delivery of Russian energy. If all the existing legal obstacles are resolved from the perspective of EU law, Athens is of course interested in negotiating with Russia with regard to this issue.
JOURNALIST: Is development of commercial and economic relations between our countries hindered by the battle of sanctions between EU and Russia due to the situation in the Ukraine...
G. KATROUGALOS: Indeed, that is one of the problems that we face. Greece has always felt that sanctions are counterproductive if we wish to see Russia incorporated into the European security system. But we must work within this framework. In addition to the relevant effort on the part of the Governments of our countries, development of dialogue on the level of the private sector is also important, on the level of Greek and Russian companies, in order to find methods for exiting this situation.
JOURNALIST: In the context of the aforementioned sanctions, can the creation of Greco-Russian consortia become one of the ways of deepening the financial ties between our countries?
G. KATROUGALOS: Certainly. That is one of the ways of activating cooperation in the economic sector. Unfortunately, despite the fact that this is a good idea, which we have had in mind for the past two years, we have yet not managed to implement it correctly. But it is necessary for us to work on this. The governments of the two countries can only provide the structural framework for such a cooperation; nonetheless, its implementation, including investment by both sides, and the creation of consortia, is an issue concerning the private sector and the enterprises.
JOURNALIST: What could Greece offer to Russia with regard to bilateral cooperation?
G. KATROUGALOS: For example, we have extensive experience in the field of aquaculture, which may be of interest to the Russian side. Other potential areas of cooperation include alternative sources of energy, the shipbuilding industry. As I have already mentioned, cooperation in the field of tourism and contact between our two countries is also important.
I should also note that Greece is trying to not only be a bridge between various countries for economic reasons, but also to act as an intermediary in the resolution of existing contradictions. We always try to adhere to this approach within the European Union.
JOURNALIST: How can Athens contribute to normalisation of relations between the EU and Russia?
G. KATROUGALOS: Our home is the European Union, and we follow the rules. But these rules do not include a phobia of Russia. Russia is a large country which has always been present in Europe's history. It would be impossible for one to imagine a European security system without the Russian Federation.
Athens relies on the fact that the basis of international relations is respect of International Law. But, at the same time, within the framework of the European Union, during discussion of issues that pertain to relations between Brussels and Moscow, we underscore that the existing contradictions must be resolved solely through dialogue. Indeed, Greece did not block the imposition of sanctions against Russia by the EU, because it is clear that this would not have been the best step. Nonetheless, we continuously try to send a message concerning the need for productive dialogue with Russia.
JOURNALIST: When was the first time you visited our country?
G. KATROUGALOS: It was in 1985, when I participated in the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. Earlier, I had already been familiar with Russian culture. More specifically, I had read works by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Gorky. Among other things, it was extremely interesting for me to visit the places described by Bulgakov in “The Master and Margarita”.
JOURNALIST: How do you prefer to spend your free time?
JOURNALIST: I enjoy reading. I like historical literature and novels. But I also don’t shy away from science fiction. In that sense, I try to read books of different genres, which may be of interest to me.
December 5, 2018