Katrougalos and Lavrov stress need for strengthening Greek-Russian relations

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday stressed the need to further strengthen the already good Greek-Russian relations, at their meeting in St Petersburg held within the framework of the International Economic Forum.

After the meeting, Katrougalos told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) that "Greece and Russia have had historically good relations and a common belief is that these relations will be strengthened in all areas".

He also said that Greece will serve as a bridge between the EU and the Russian Federation, adding that there can be no European security system without participation of the Russian Federation.

The meeting was held in the historic "Konstantinov Palace", which was renovated and opened in 2003 by then Prime Minister Costas Simitis, as Greece held the European presidency.