Security tight for visit by Russian President Putin
Some 2,500 police officers were on duty in Athens on Friday amid heightened security for a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin who is being accompanied by a large delegation of Russian entrepreneurs interested in Greece's privatization portfolio.
Putin is due to arrive at Athens International Airport at 3.30 p.m. ahead of talks with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras scheduled for about 5 p.m. A late working lunch will follow and then the two leaders are to sign a memorandum of cooperation before making statements to reporters.
Putin has expressed Russian interest in boosting ties with Greece with a particular interest in the Hellenic National Railways and Thessaloniki Port Authority, as underlined in his article in Kathimerini.
As part of the security effort, several roads in central Athens will be closed off to the public.
On Saturday, Putin is to travel to the Mount Athos monastic community.
