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A speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin to businessmen and financiers of the Rostov region irritated the Greek government and caused a comment by government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou.

According to the Athens News Agency APE, Putin met the local business community in Rostov and said, "I cannot understand why some businessmen prefer to invest in countries with troubled economies such as Greece, instead of investing here in Rostov. I was astonished to find out that a very large sum has been invested recently there by a contractor of ours. Greece really is a friend country, but it has problems. Why, then, this businessman preferred it?"

Although Putin did not name somebody in particular or a company, it is known that prominent Russian entrepreneur of Greek origin Ivan Savidis carries out his business in Rostov (on the small picture with the Russian President). These words of the powerful man in Moscow provoked strong reactions on the side of the Greek government. "Of course we are angry. Following so many sacrifices, it is not appropriate to reckon that it is our weakness that we have started to attract foreign investment as," a government source who requested anonymity said for the Athens News Agency.

On "To Vima FM" radio, government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou emphasized that Greece is a safe investment country and that there is investor interest in it at the time, and investors are hard to lie.