Athens Considers Russia Sanctions Inappropriate - Adviser To Greek Prime Minister

Dimitris Velanis, an adviser to the Greek prime minister on Russian and Eastern European issues, told Russian reporters on Thursday that "inappropriate" sanctions against Russia and Russia's retaliatory measures have damaged the Greek economy and hinder economic development

THESSALONIKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) Dimitris Velanis, an adviser to the Greek prime minister on Russian and Eastern European issues, told Russian reporters on Thursday that "inappropriate" sanctions against Russia and Russia's retaliatory measures have damaged the Greek economy and hinder economic development.

"We understand what market disruption was caused by this confrontation, and I personally think it is inappropriate when politics interferes with the economy and hinders economic development. I am sure that the issue will be resolved ... Greece is in difficult economic conditions, and the export of Greek agricultural goods suffers from sanctions," Velanis said.

He added that a few years ago, Greek exports equaled some 500-700 million Euros ($562 million-$786 million), while in 2018 they were only 170 million euros.

"Greek exports to Russia fell greatly. Greek producers and the Russian market suffered from this, as the quality of Greek goods was much better than of many competing goods," Velanis noted.

He also stressed that Athens opposed Russia sanctions.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated over the former's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict and Crimea's reunification with Russia following a referendum. The United States and the European Union have since imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia's energy, banking, defense and other sectors, as well as on a number of Russian officials. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations and reacted with countermeasures against the Western nations that targeted it with sanctions.