BY GIORGOS CHRISTEDES
Source: Drohende Staatspleite:Griechenland bittet Russland um Hilfe
In the battle against the threat of bankruptcy Greece is looking for support outside the Euro Zone. On a visit to Moscow officials want to determine whether Russia can provide assistance. Vladimir Putin may meet with Alexis Tsipras.
Thessaloniki, March 29 – Greece will ask Russia to help her ailing economy. SPIEGEL ONLINE learns the government of Alexis Tsipras wants to Moscow for a reduction in natural gas prices for Greek households .
Also, Greek products such as fresh fruit are subject to the EU ban on goods to Russia may be offered.
Greek Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis and Syriza parliamentary speaker Thanasis Petrakos will make the request beginning on Monday, two-day visit to Moscow.
“For Greece, this visit is very important,” Petrakos told SPIEGEL ONLINE. “We want our relations with Russia in the energy sector to strengthen. And hope for them in return significant benefits.”
The Greek delegation will meet with Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Nowak and Gazprom CEO Alexi Miller.
Gazprom controls almost 70 percent of the Greek natural gas market. Further meetings are planned with Russian Duma deputies and other government officials.
Energy Minister Lafazanis is head of the “left wing” of the extreme left Syriza party. He has a strongly held view that Greece not yield to Euro Zone funders. Rather, his position is that Greece should implement its own reform program.
Lafazanis is against the plans of the EU Commission to examine national energy agreements between EU and non-EU members in advance.
Immediately prior to his trip to Russia, the Minister made some more sharp signals to Brussels and Berlin:
In an article published in a Saturday interview Lafazanis calls for resistance against the “unscrupulous imperialists” that Greece must “submit” to. “The EU Germanization is literally suffocating our country,” the SYRIZA politician is quoted.
Tsipras travels on April 8 to see Putin
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras wants to travel on April 8, to Moscow. One, originally scheduled for May travel is so preferred a month.
The overtures to Russia and the fact that many Greek officials apparently feel closer to Moscow than Brussels, the EU alarmed.
Their is great concern is great that Russian President Vladimir Putin suspects the chance breakup the EU [position on sanctions] and win new influence in Southeast Europe.
Observers expect Tsipras wants to tap on his visit also whether the Kremlin can provide loans.
So far, the Greek prime minister has denied such plans. However, Athens recently for the first time publicly confirmed that it seeks funding sources outside the Euro Zone.
Vice Premier Giannis Dragasakis has just returned from Beijing. Government sources stated in this connection that the government was seeking investment and financing from non-EU countries, “especially from China.”
When it comes to possible support from Beijing or Moscow, Greece is primarily due to the sale of state property and its geopolitical position.
SPIEGEL ONLINE understands Greece is ready to work closely with Russia to secure its influence on the energy market in the region.
Athens would also welcome Russian and Chinese investment in Greek state-owned enterprises such as the loss-making railway or the port of Thessaloniki.
China is interested in expanding its role in the port of Pireus. The Chinese state company Cosco already has a stake and operates since 2009, part of the container port. The port near Athens is the largest in Greece and the largest passenger port in Europe.
Greece desperately needs money because extend the negotiations with the Euro Zone before a release of new aid.
Athens has warned its investors it may not be able to meet obligations if negotiations with the Euro Zone are not successful.
On Friday, the government submitted its reform package to the troika of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund. Their positive vote could mean a decisive step to clear the risk of bankruptcy ashore relief funds of 7.2 billion euros.
Der Spiegel reported, however, in its latest issue that Greece will earn this year against original planning no primary surplus in its budget. This could cause the troika of the European Commission, the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund to end negotiations.
Experts were expecting an additional financing gap of 10 to 20 billion euros. A third tool that the government wants to avoid, therefore, could have a around 30 billion euros and more.
© SPIEGEL / Translaton
Drohende Staatspleite:Griechenland bittet Russland um Hilfe
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