While speaking at the 1st Greek Russian forum in Thessaloniki, the Consul General of Russia Alexei Popov expect there is a good chance that up-for-privatization DEPA and DESFA will be acquired by Gazprom and Sintez “should business criteria prevail”.

Mr. Popov considered a “historical achievement” the fact that thanks to its oil, natural gas and other energy products, Russia has taken the top spot on the list of Greece’s business partners, surpassing Germany. The diplomat quoted data of the Russian statistics authority which suggests that the bilateral trade between Greece and Russia increased by 25% last year, to a value of 6.58 billion euros.

The Russian statistical data also indicated that tourism to Greece from Russia was increased by 13% in 2012, with a significant part of the 700,000 Russian tourists choosing the North of Greece for their vacation. The newly-established flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Alexandroupoli will help rejuvenate tourism in Thrace.

Mr. Popov concluded his speech in Greek by stating that Russia as traditionally been interested in “the existence of a Greece with a stable economy, as a friendly country and partner in financial relations”.