Putin: 'Greece has not asked for aid to Russia'

"We have the right to have our own foreign policy and take advantage of our geographical position as a European country, Mediterranean and the Balkans."

Alexis Tsipras and Vladimir Putin signed in Moscow on Wednesday a series of agreements to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Many in Europe fear that the Greek Prime Minister took this movement to apply for financial aid to Russia. But Putin has denied.

'' Greece has not asked us to help, '' he said at a press conference. The Russian president, however, that Moscow could give credits in Athens to finance joint projects. '' If Greece benefits from these projects, so it can repay these loans. It does not help, but financial cooperation. ''

Reacting to remarks about his trip to Russia, Alexis Tsipras wished to recall the sovereignty of Greece in diplomacy: '' We have the right to have our own foreign policy and take advantage of our geographical position as European countries, Mediterranean and Balkan ', insisted the Greek Prime Minister.

Alexis Tsipras and Putin discussed a boost bilateral investment and increased collaboration in the field of energy, with a possible extension to Athens of Turkish Stream gas pipeline project.

As for the Russian embargo on Greek food, imposed after European sanctions, it could be relaxed.