Prime Minister Antonis Samaras held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Brussels on January 28. The cost of natural gas was a key item on the agenda of talks as well as privatisations in Greece. Addressing the Russian president, Samaras said: "We are meeting as friends today. The Greek and Russian peoples have a history, religion and tradition that unite them" said the Greek premier; he added that “there is no international stability without continuously developing relations between Europe and Russia."

Referring to natural gas prices Samaras stated that Greece “is currently coming out of a six-year recession and low energy prices from Russia are crucial to our recovery.” He further commented on Russia’s interest in the privatisations of Greek railways and the port of Thessaloniki. Modern railways are vital for Greece, so that the great demand for Greek farm products in the European hinterland might be fully exploited. Regarding tourism, the Samaras said that the results of Greek-Russian cooperation are impressive.

In Brussels, Samaras also addressed BusinessEurope Day at the event Industry Matters (28.01). In his speech, he pointed that the Greek government is determined to carry out bold reforms that will reorient the Greek economy to exports. He reiterated the Greek efforts on fiscal and structural levels aiming to reduce bureaucracy and attract foreign investment.

On his return trip to Greece, Samaras visited the earthquake-stricken Ionian island of Cefalinia, so as to see for himself the damages caused by the tremor.