Russian Prime Minister and Energy Minister will lead a delegation which will visit Athens, Oct 5-6, in the aftermath of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline deal.
The leaders of Bulgaria, Greece and Russia agreed in September to proceed with the construction of an oil pipeline that it will carry Russian oil through Bulgaria, and Greece, avoiding its transit through Bosporus.
The construction of the 280-kilometer Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline will be signed later this year.
Still, there are technical and other difficulties to overcome, with the most intractable issue being who will control the management of the pipeline and for how long.
Commentators see Premier’s visit Mikhail Fradcov visit in Athens as a preparatory stage for the signing process.
Separately, the two countries have tightened their ties the previous year “with Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline agreement being the top development, “ said deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis Wednesday after a meeting with the Russian Agricultural Minister Alexey Gordeev on Wednesday.
Mr Stylianidis mentioned the noticeable increase of Greek exports to Russia and the sharp rise of Russian tourist arrivals to Greece, 41% in the first half of the year.