MOSCOW AND ATHENS FORGE NEW ALLIANCE – GREEK MEDIA
(c) AFP 2015/ POOL / IVAN SEKRETAREV
POLITICS
12:42 08.04.2015(updated 13:30 08.04.2015) Get short URL
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The Greek prime minister’s visit to Moscow aimed at improving relations
with Russia angers many in Europe – this is what reports in Greek
media, covering the visit, boil down to.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is on a two-day visit to Moscow,
making headlines in Greek media.
“Alexis Tsipras’ upcoming visit to Moscow and meeting with Putin has
generated much talk, analysis and warnings,” iefimerida.gr wrote in
a piece titled Tsipras-Putin: Smiles in Moscow, Annoyance in Brussels.
“Both sides underline that Moscow and Athens will discuss many issues
and there is no shortage of speculations on what Tsipras will ask
and what Putin will offer.”
(c) REUTERS/ MICHAEL DALDER European Parliament Calls on Tsipras
‘Not to Jeopardize’ EU Unity in Moscow Visit The visit could help
return Greek produce to the Russian market, according to the media
outlet. “Exports are worth 125 million Euros and are of primary
importance to the agriculture in northern Greece,” iefimerida.gr said.
EU sanctions and the Russian food ban, investments, privatization,
energy cooperation and the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, tourism, the
Ukrainian crisis and Greece-Turkey relations are the main topics on
the agenda.
“Putin is preparing a ‘gift’ for Tsipras,” newsit.gr said, adding
that it is the first visit of a Greek prime minister to Moscow in
five years. According to the media outlet, Tsipras’ visit “caused
outrage in Brussels” that “thinks the Russian president is trying to
undermine the European stance on sanctions against Moscow.”
“Europe is threatened by ‘the Russian bear,'” said cretalive.gr,
adding that the visit sent partners and creditors, especially in
Berlin, into turmoil. Some “on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean
also worry that Greece would throw itself into Russia’s arms to come
up with ‘alternative plans’ to solve the Greek problem,” the Crete
media outlet pointed out.
“Tsipras and Putin are forging a new alliance,” according to
protothema.gr. “All eyes in Europe are on Tsipras and Putin. ‘The
spring’ in Greek-Russian relations gets on Europe’s nerves. The visit
has created an atmosphere of enthusiasm in Moscow. … It is seen
as a breakthrough in the bilateral relations that would revive and
strengthen cooperation in a number of areas,” the media outlet said.
Athens Looks to Moscow for Help as Berlin Burns With Anger “The visit
also sends important political signals: both countries are discontent
with the West. In this context Tsipras wants to develop a diverse
foreign policy and alliances, while Putin wants to show that he has
power and influence to attract the attention of European leaders and
countries,” protothema.gr said.
“If Europe and Washington wanted to turn Tsipras visit into a landmark
political event, then they achieved this,” tvxs.gr said, adding that
the Greek prime minister is fully aware of the political and economic
risks and is comfortable with them.
According to the Etnos newspaper, Russia and Greece are opening a new
chapter in bilateral relations, which are likely to improve following
the visit.
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From: A. Papazian