REUTERS
The United States intends to make a counter offer to Athens in connection with Gazprom’s initiative to build a new gas pipeline through Greek territory to enable Russian gas supplies to Europe, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias said in a conversation with the Associated Press in Washington, the Athens agency reports.
Kotzias is on a five-day visit to the United States. Russia’s proposal on the construction of a pipeline in Greece and 10-year agreement for the supply of gas at preferential prices has become one of the most controversial issues in the negotiations, according to the agency.
"Gazprom made us a very good offer," Kotzias said.
He also added Secretary of State John Kerry told him the United States would be willing to make a counter offer, and said Amos Hochstein, the State Department's special envoy for international energy affairs, would visit Athens within days for talks.
Kotzias said the talks over the Gazprom gas pipeline were an economic, not a political issue.
According to Associated Press, Gazprom’s interest in Greece is part of a larger bid against U.S. efforts to make Central and Eastern Europe free of Russian energy dependence. Indeed, as U.S. officials work with European governments on new projects, Russian representatives are often quick to follow with their own proposals.
Greek Foreign Minister said he sees no reason not to cooperate with Russia.
"I ask all our partners," Kotzias said, "'Please tell me, what am I supposed to say to our people - that you allow Turkey to bring [a Gazprom gas pipeline] to our borders, but that I'm so anti -Russian that I don't want to do it?" he said.
When asked to comment on the negotiations between Greece and the European creditors, Kotzias said that Greece was prepared to compromise.
"Nobody is going to play a game of chicken," he said.
Kotzias argued that European officials should respect his government's decision in January on an anti-austerity campaign.
"After five years [of austerity], we have had very bad results," he said.