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Chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko criticizes the European Commission for the use of double standards in connection with the Greek privatization deals. Matviyenko is on an official visit to Athens at the invitation of the Greek Parliament.

The chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council, who was Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Athens and who knows the country well, notes how strange it is that, according to the European Commission, "Gazprom" will have a dominant position in Europe by selling 2.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Greece, taking into account the fact that it is already selling 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas in Germany.

Matviyenko asks for a legal framework, pre-agreed by Athens and Brussels, in order for "Gazprom" to take part again in the tender for the privatization of the Greek gas company DEPA. She also comments that RZD (Russia’s railway company) will not try to buy the Greek railway company TRAINOSE if the privatization transaction does not include the port of Thessaloniki.

Double standard of the European Union

In particular, Valentina Matviyenko describes as strange the fact that, while all countries in the European Union are establishing relationships with "Gazprom" and Germany imports 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas from Russia, Brussels is speaking of dominance because of the possibility of the company starting a business in Greece, which imports only 2.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas.

Like she notes, Greece is a sovereign state which has the right to enter into mutually beneficial contracts which it considers necessary. "Here we see a double standard. They do not mind in one case and they do mind in the case of Greece," said Matviyenko.

Furthermore, the chairwoman of the Federation Council notes that "Gazprom" was interested in the Greek gas company DEPA but the tender conditions were unacceptable and therefore, it is calling for a ​​new legal text for the privatization of the company which the European Commission and Athens should approve in advance.

If the conditions meet the requirements of a fair and transparent international tender, "Gazprom" will participate in it again.

"We have to take into account the views and concerns of the companies participating in the international tender", said Matviyenko, stressing that Moscow's desire is for Greece to take the appropriate decisions and for the remaining negotiations to be in the hands of the Greek government when everything has been agreed.

"There are countries that cooperate with "Gazprom" and with other companies and we wonder why Greece shouldn’t cooperate with these companies in a similar way", said Matviyenko, although she was reluctant to take a position on whether international pressure had been exerted on Greece.

The chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council notes that Moscow does not want special privileges or special treatment but equal terms and adds that "Gazprom" has been present in the Greek market for 17 years already and that it is planning to make a number of investments in the country.

According to Matviyenko, "Gazprom" is interested in participating in the South Stream pipeline project, which will lead to lower prices, as well as in the construction of power plants operating with natural gas, which will lead to export and to a reduction in heating bills.

Valentina Matviyenko also notes that, based on the recent letter in which Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras asks Russian President Vladimir Putin to reduce gas prices, two rounds of talks have already been completed and the third will begin in late September. As she states, the desire of Moscow is for the contract for the supply of natural gas to be extended after 2016.

TRAINOSE without the port of Thessaloniki is pointless

The chairwoman of the Federation Council confirms the interest of the Russian railway company RZD in TRAINOSE - the call for expressions of interest expires today - and stresses that the investment would not make sense if it did not involve the port of Thessaloniki. "RZD has submitted its offer", said Valentina Matviyenko, adding "RZD is the largest railway company in the world."

As she states, the partial privatization of TRAINOSE itself cannot attract serious investment interest in "such a major investment". "The proposal of the Russian railway company is being considered within the context of a more serious investment package", said Matviyenko, stressing that this involves the modernization of the infrastructure and the development of a reliable network.

In particular, the Russian plan provides for combined transport in a complex of ports and rail infrastructure, and includes the port of Thessaloniki. Thus, on the one hand, Greece will become a hub with logistic infrastructure and TRAINOSE will operate in Europe on the other. Of course, Matviyenko acknowledges the right of Greece to consider this privatization separately but adds that such a decision would not lead to the realization of such a large-scale investment programme suitable for the size of the Russian railway company and that it would have no value and importance in economic and technical terms.

Visa waiver attempts

The chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and the talks were especially fruitful and filled with mutual understanding as stated by the Russian diplomat. The interest in further developing and extending the relations between the two countries at all levels has been confirmed. As stressed by Matviyenko, it has been decided to form a joint interdepartmental commission of all ministries to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Regarding visas, both Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras have confirmed that they agree to simplify the procedures in view of the future visa waiver. Moreover, upon assuming the Presidency of the European Union, Greece will take initiatives to strengthen the dialogue with Moscow and will endeavour to simplify the procedure for issuing visas in order to waive them in the future which will support tourism, business relations, science, etc.

Furthermore, Matviyenko has expressed Russia’s satisfaction connected with the increased number of Russian tourists in Greece which reached 1.2 million and who spent an average of 1,000 euro in addition to the cost of their overnight stay. Therefore, the simplification of the procedures for issuing visas would have a positive impact on tourism.

The chairwoman of the Federation Council states that the press does not present the statements of various Russian officials correctly which creates false impressions. "The political leadership of the country fully supports the investment plans of Russian companies and their participation in investment procedures", she stressed.

Matviyenko talked about the recent withdrawal of Bulgaria from the project for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, noting that Evangelos Venizelos has confirmed Greece’s interest in this project. The chairwoman of the Federation Council has confirmed that the Russian side also supports its renewal at a tripartite level, adding "We are sorry for the unilateral decision of Sofia which was taken under political pressure", finally stressing that the project could be useful for everyone.

Valentina Matviyenko states that she is not aware of the contents of Vladimir Putin’s letter to the Greek government but she is aware of Greece’s position regarding the Syrian issue, namely that the country supports the political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis.

Regarding the invitation Greece has extended to Putin to visit Athens, she avoided replying, pointing out that this question deserves special attention.

Misinterpretation of Putin’s statement

In response to a question by "To Vima" newspaper, namely why Putin had said that Greece is a problematic country for investment, Valentina Matviyenko said that Putin 's words were misinterpreted and added that he had spoken positively about the country, accounting for the fact that a large number of Russian companies invest in Greece and that Moscow is seeking to strengthen the economic relations.