Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will travel to Iran for a state visit on February 7-8, the prime ministers press office said Monday.
ATHENS (Sputnik) Although the detailed program ofTsipras visit has not been disclosed, Irans deputy petroleum minister forinternational and commercial affairs told state media last week the sides planned tosign an energy memorandum ofunderstanding.
Greece and Iran launched discussions toresume Iranian oil deliveries toGreece two weeks ago, afterTehran was found incompliance ofa landmark nuclear deal allowing the lifting ofyears-long sanctions againstthe Islamic Republic.
Tsipras plans tovisit Iran were disclosed byGreek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who traveled toTehran inearly December inanticipation ofthe January 16 implementation ofthe Iranian nuclear program.
Iran delivered an estimated 100,000 barrels ofoil per day toGreece in2011, a figure equaling one-third ofthe Hellenic Republics total oil imports.
In 2012, Irans oil exports were slashed inhalf afterthe European Union and the United States imposed sanctions againstTehran aspunishment forwhat they believed was Iran's covert pursuit ofnuclear weapons underthe guise ofa civilian nuclear program.
By Sputnik