OREANDA-NEWS. Led by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, the Company's delegation paid a visit today to the Greek Republic.

A working meeting with Antonis Samaras, the Greek Republic Prime Minister took place as part of the visit. The parties addressed the cooperation in the gas sector. Special consideration was given to Gazprom's potential participation in the privatization of Greek DEPA Group.

In addition, Alexey Miller met with Kostis Hatzidakis, Greek Minister for Development to discuss the Company's current and future activities in the Greek energy market.
Background

Russian natural gas supplies to Greece started in 1996. According to preliminary estimates, in 2012 Gazprom delivered 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Greece.

On February 29, 2012 the Greek Government announced the start of a bidding procedure for privatization of DEPA, the state-run gas company.

DEPA is focused on wholesale purchases, sales and supplies of natural gas  to industrial consumers and households in Greece. At present, the Greek Republic owns 65 per cent stake in the company and a 35 per cent stake is held by the domestic refining company Hellenic Petroleum.