“Ahead
of a crucial Eurozone emergency summit in Brussels, which many regard
as a potential turning point for Greece, Athens has inked a $2.3
billion deal with Moscow on extending the Turkish Stream pipeline
through the Greek territory. While experts are expressing their
doubts regarding Greece's ability to settle its debts anytime soon,
Athens is seeking ways to bring the country back from the brink of
economic collapse; the recent move of the Tsipras government aimed at
creating the EU gas hub on its territory may provide the country with
an unbeatable advantage in the future.”
“The
deal is evidently playing into the hands of Moscow, which needs 'an
EU member to become the new 'gas hub' for distribution to Europe.'
Russia's previous South Stream project, which was considered an
opportunity to provide gas to Europe avoiding troublesome Ukraine,
was suspended last year under the EU pressure. Remarkably, some
Western media outlets emphasize that the Russo-Greek agreement is
likely to infuriate those EU countries which are calling to toughen
the European sanctions policy against Moscow.”
“According
to Gazprom's plan, the Turkish Stream will be divided into four
lines, and one of them will supply Turkey. The Turkish Stream's total
capacity is expected to amount to 63 billion cubic meters per year.
Although the deal is unable to solve Greece's current debt crisis,
the creation of the EU gas hub on the Greek territory will provide
the country with a competitive advantage and a new source of income.”
“Whatever
the result of the Eurozone emergency summit will be, 'the Kremlin is
playing a long game with Greece, which doesn't depend on whether the
struggling country remains in the Eurozone or not' ...”
“Indeed,
Greece has long been considered a Russian ally, since the countries
share deep cultural and religious ties. At the same time Athens needs
Russia as a trade and business partner.”
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