Greece considers Russia’s contribution to dealing with the huge challenges worldwide of high importance, stated President of Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos during his meeting on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the presidential mansion at the outskirts of Moscow.

“The challenges are not only economic, but they also have to do with the people and the democracy,” noted Mr. Pavlopoulos stressing that “whatever differences between Russia and EU will be solved as soon as possible according to the institutional procedures.”

Mr. Pavlopoulos underlined that his visit to Moscow inaugurates the Greece-Russia 2016 year and invited President Putin to visit Greece in 2016.

The Russian President expressed his content over President Pavlopoulos’ visit to Moscow. He also stressed that 37 events will be held in both countries within the framework of Greece-Russia 2016. Mr. Putin also noted that Greece is a country with which Russia has exceptional historic bonds.

On his part, Pavlopoulos stated that the events for the 2016 Year of Greece and Russia can and should bring the two countries and the two peoples even closer.

Finally, he expressed the hope the war in Syria comes to an end, peace prevails and people are protected from the terror attacks of the Islamic State that commits crimes against humanity.