Athens Plans To Use Tsipras' Visit To Moscow To Advance Russian-Greek Relations - Source

ATHENS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) Greece expects the visit of its prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, to Moscow on December 7 will mark the end of the diplomatic crisis between two countries and further enhance the prospects for bilateral relations in various fields, a source in Athens familiar with the preparations for the visit told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Tsipras' visit to Moscow was initially scheduled for the second half of 2018, but after a diplomatic scandal erupted between the two countries in July, the visit was called into question. In July, Greece decided to expel two Russian diplomats over allegations of their attempts to sabotage the Greek-Macedonian talks on renaming the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Russia responded by expelling two Greek diplomats.

"The Greek prime minister's visit to Moscow shortly before the end of 2018 seems to officially mark the end of the 'adventures' in our relations, as was said by the minister at a press conference at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition on September 8, stressing both sides' willingness to recognize 190 years of diplomatic relations and their great depth," the source said.

According to the source, the economy, Russian investments in Greece and energy issues � including the TurkStream gas pipeline's route through Greek territory � will be discussed during the visit. International issues such as the Syrian and Libyan crises, Cyprus settlement and Russia's relations with the European Union and NATO will also be addressed.