Russia energy minister says Moscow mulls direct fuel deliveries to Greece
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak says Moscow is considering direct fuel deliveries to Greece, in a move aimed at “supporting the revival” of its economy.
Novak said on Sunday that Russia was interested in broadening cooperation between the two sides “in the energy sector.”
"Accordingly we are studying the possibility of organizing direct deliveries of energy resources to Greece, starting shortly," the Russian minister said.
He added that the Russian Energy Ministry was expected to reach an agreement over the issue “within a few weeks.”
During a visit to Russia last month, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sealed a preliminary deal under which Moscow agreed to construct a 2-billion-euro (USD 2.2 billion) gas pipeline through Greece, an extension of the TurkStream project, which is to supply Russian gas to Turkey.
For months Athens has been holding talks aimed at reaching an agreement with the so-called troika of international creditors – the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Commission – over its debt crisis.
Athens, which is at risk of being forced to leave the eurozone must reach a deal with its lenders in order to receive the third and final portion of its bailout, which is worth €74 billion (USD 83 billion).
The international creditors have been demanding Greece to carry out pension cuts and tax hikes in order to receive the bailout.
Both Athens and international creditors have rejected proposals made by either side so far.
The Greek parliament recently approved a motion allowing proposals submitted by the government to creditors to be used as a basis for future negotiations.
Greece received two bailout packages in 2010 and 2012, worth a total of €240 billion (USD 272 billion), from the creditors following its 2009 economic crisis in exchange for implementing tough austerity measures.
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