MOSCOW (Sputnik), Anna Liatsou – Greece’s friendly ties with Russia are not under threat from an anticipated Greek cabinet reshuffle, the ruling Syriza party secretary and member of parliament told Sputnik on Thursday.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to shake up his administration after 32 Syriza lawmakers voted against implementing painful austerity reforms to pave the way for additional aid, while six more abstained.
"Even if there is a change in government regarding ministers, it will not change our relationship with Russia," Dimitris Vitsas said.
The Greek Parliament approved a series of strict austerity measures, including value-added tax hikes and pension reforms, in exchange for a three-year $95-billion aid program from European and international lenders late on Wednesday.
The 229-64 tally secured the needed majority, but threw up cracks in Tsipras’ ruling party, prompting speculation of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle.
Greek Interior Minister Nikos Voutsis signalled that the differences over the last austerity conditions may trigger elections this fall.
Vitsas also claims that Tsipras requires the full backing of lawmakers in order for the country to become a better contributing member to the European Union.
"All members of Parliament must support the government and prime minister's efforts so that Greece can be a strong member of the European Union," Vitsas said.
On Tuesday, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he was forced to choose between the tough terms proposed by the international lenders and bankruptcy that would be followed by Greece's exit from the Eurozone.
Vitsas added that investment opportunities from countries, including those outside the European Union, would help Greece revive its ailing economy.
"Countries like members of the European Union, countries like Russia, China and the US that are able to help us and are interested in investing here," Dimitris said.
On Wednesday, the European Commission announced sources of funding for €35 billion ($38.5 billion) of the Eurozone leaders’ €86 billion ($95 billion) bailout package for Greece to cover the period until 2020, agreed on this week.
Over half of that sum is expected to come from the European Structural and Investment Funds, with the rest derived from Agricultural Funds.
"It's about oil, it's about gas and new energy sources," Syriza’s Vitsas told Sputnik, speaking of investment opportunities open to foreign companies in Greece.
Russia has been one of the countries seeking to actively participate in the privatization of Greek national assets, including investing in industrial and infrastructure facilities.
The latest Greek deal will not resolve the sovereign debt crisis that has gripped members of the euro currency zone since 2009, Vitsas claims.
"If we are talking about now, I would say no," Dimitris Vitsas said when asked to comment on whether the latest deal would put an end to the Eurozone crisis.
Vitsas projected that Greece’s debt settlement talks, a round of which is due later this month, will continue with the Eurozone countries and the European Central Bank (ECB).
"I think the discussions will last until December," the Syriza party secretary said.
Asked if Athens would be able to surmount its estimated $270-billion debt owed to three of the country's major creditors, Dimitris Vitsas responded "Yes, during the next 30 years."
