Greece and Russia must continue to strengthen their centuries-long relationship, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Sochi on Wednesday.

The meeting in Russia focused mostly on energy supply and bilateral trade issues while also touching on Turkey and Cyprus.

On the topic of energy supply, Mitsotakis said “Russia has proven a reliable supplier of natural gas over time, just as Greece has proven a reliable partner.” 

“Any possible changes must not deviate from the terms of the agreement,” the Greek prime minister said, according to Naftemporiki.

Putin said that Russia supplies more than 40 percent of Greece’s energy needs. 

“[Russia] fulfills its obligations to Greece and the EU,” the Russian president said. “And it will continue the uninterrupted supply of natural gas.”

On Turkey, Mitsotakis told Putin that Greece’s neighbors continue to use inflammatory rhetoric and practice aggression that leads to instability. 

“Greece was always in support of dialogue on the basis of international law and the Law of the Sea,” Mitsotakis said. 

In relation to the Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis reiterated the need for a just and viable solution based on UN Security Council resolutions and rejected any discussion on a two-country solution.

On the issue of NATO and the EU, Putin said Greece’s stance is based on moderation and its membership in either of the two blocs never stood in the way of developing relations with Russia.

Watch the full press conference