RT: 2012 was a momentous year for Greece. The country managed to keep the euro, and bankruptcy fears have receded. Is Greece over the worst of it?
Simos Kedikoglou: Yes, Greece is over the worst of it, but the crisis is not over yet. We still have a lot to do. When the government came to power last June the climate was very negative. I would say we were practically out of the eurozone, but we managed to win the first battle – the battle for the eurozone. Now we have another battle, the battle against unemployment, which has risen to the levels nobody could imagine – 27 percent among the population and 60 percent among young people. At the beginning it was only austerity and nothing else. That didn’t work, that’s why we have the fourth consecutive year of recession, that’s why unemployment rose to these levels. The new program includes policies for development. We are using numerous tools to create jobs. The Greek economy desperately needs new ‘clean’ money, not loans. This can be achieved in two ways – by increasing exports and attracting investments. In both these ways Russia is an ideal partner. That’s the reason why here in Russia we’ve presented for the first time the new Greek investment law.
RT: What is the new investment project about?
Simos Kedikoglou: There are two significant things. On the highest level, I mean big investments, we have the so-called fast-track procedure. If anyone wants to invest 50 million euros or more in Greece we will guide the investor untill the fulfilment of his plans. We have certain procedures, which would help achieve that. For example all the necessary permissions will be given by one service. Investors won’t have to go through this marathon and labyrinth of bureaucratic procedures. On the lower levels there will be also something attractive especially for Russians. For instance, if a Russian buys a house in Greece above a certain level, which I believe will be around 200,000 euros, he and his family will be given a five-year visa, which will be renewed if he keeps the house.
RT: Not everybody is happy about Greece building closer relations with Russia. Greece is expected to raise 15 billion euros in privatization and among other things looks into the possibility of selling natural gas assets to Russia. There are media reports that the US and the EU are advising the country not to do it. What do you make of that?
Simos Kedikoglou: We are going to carry out the procedure according to the plan. The best offers will win and we are welcoming the two Russian companies that have made their bids, which, as far as I know, are very attractive. There are two main things that are important – the sum and the gas plan. You can understand that especially for an economy, which wants to get out of the crisis, it’s important to have the cheapest possible energy.
RT: Did your country get any advice from the US and the EU?
Simos Kedikoglou: The only advice came from articles in newspapers. I’m also a journalist and I know how some articles appear. In our case only the best offer will win.
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