Prime Minister Samaras Welcomes Azerbaijan President Aliyev

Talks concerned the privatization of the DESFA Greek gas transmission mechanism and the creation of the Trans Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP), that is planned to travel through Greece.

The two premiers focused on enhanced bilateral relations by the two nations and future economic collaborations. Recently Greece and Azerbaijan have increased their ties, while Samaras commented on new sectors such as tourism, agriculture and trade, that the two plan to work on together. As reported by Kathimerini, Aliyev stated that Greece is a: "strong player in the region and a long-term partner".

At yesterday's working lunch, the two leaders discussed former obstacles holding up DESFA activity. Their meeting also focused on challenges stalling pipeline implementation, such as Kavala and Seres residents fighting the gas tool establishment. Hellenic officials assured their guests that the creation of the pipeline will run effortlessly. Aliyev also met with President Karolos Papoulias and Deputy PM Evangelos Venizelos, along with other leading Greek governmental delegates.