"The sanctions Europe imposed on Russia are unacceptable. They have not reached their aim at all. On the contrary, I would say they increase problems on the European space as well. These sanctions have to be stopped. Greece would like to make a contribution in this direction," Lafazanis said.
According to the minister, Russia and the EU have to start dialogue, with Ukraine being a bridge for cooperation rather than a hotbed for tensions.
"I believe that the relationship of Russia and the EU needs more sense, more dialogue, trust and understanding, more cooperation and efforts to make Ukraine a bridge for cooperation between Russia and the European Union, rather than a hotbed for tensions or a country that would try to block Russia out. Europe needs this today, so all countries and all people must help this," Lafazanis said.
"Europe must be made up of equal countries, there has to be equality and mutually benefitting cooperation for the good of all people, for the goof of the European development, for the future," the minister said.
On Wednesday, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said during his visit to Moscow that Athens disagreed with the anti-Russia sanctions imposed by the West and considered them a form of economic warfare.
Russia's relations with the European Union have deteriorated greatly amid the Ukrainian crisis. The EU, as well as the United States and a number of their allies imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia, targeting its economic and defense sectors. In response, Moscow issued a year-long embargo on food imports from countries that sanctioned it.
