M&P do the right thing and help Greece out; with the EU deserting them, they need someone with some principles to aid them. Let's develop a better and better bilateral relationship with them, based on good trade and friendship.

Am Greek, i like to ask RT were was it that the Greek prime minister asked any one for loans?, because i watch him and i have never seen him once ask for loans, the Greek PM before he left Greece for Brussels said we will deal with this on are own there is no problem in Greece, the Greek PM will be in Russia from what i see on Greek news he will be looking to improve strategic partnership with Russia, to finish the negotiations and start work in the Burgas- Alexandroupolis oil pipe-line, plus the South Stream, Tourism, cultural exchanges, to strengthen over all partnership, Greece will get its own house in order by its-self, as a matter of fact in my opinion what is going on in Greece was good because it has push the politicians and also the majority of the public to getting are house in order ,.. Will be looking for RT interviewing the Greek PM.

The truth is very little can be done for Greece. As a member of EU, they cannot make decisons on their own, and developing bilateral sets of mutually beneficial arrangements is next to impossible. In fact, the only good thing to happen to Greece would be default. By defaulting with their key creditors, EU countries, Greece would shift the problem to those who are unwilling to help now, or to alter the terms of debts. The notion that banks, no matter what they do, are always protected from nasty consequences, is really getting out of hand. The default would put those banks in a bind, and will force then EU to bail out those banks. It is their choice. Upon default, Greece can get out of eurozone, return to its currency, and have the freedom to negotiate deals to save themselves. The austerity measures that EU is asking for are not possible to implement. Greece is already for years in economic crisis. The living conditions have so deteriorated, that it is a barrel of barrut. More austerity may bring about social upheavals, and possibly exit from the Union. That may be the only blessing in this whole mess. Greece did fine on their own, until joining EU. The problems started then, and kept on accumulating until today. Clearly, something in EU is not working, and it is systemic. For some economies, especially heavy service and turism oriented economies, like Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, EU is not the solution. Pushing loans on these countries simply created an unsustainable economic growth, that could not be backed up by notoriously unstable tourist economies.

Greece could be the most important leg of Russia in Europe. It belongs to the Russian sphere, even if still a member of NATO. This anomaly was created following WWII. These two countries share a lot both culturally and politically. It may be time for them to secure a solid strategic partnership.

Akropolis, Did the Greek PM know anything about hiding debt from the EU using exotic Wall Steet instruments?

You can blame Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan and wall street, but the real fault is the Greek politicians,..this new PM Papandreou is working hard from what i see to put thinks in order, cut public spending and to combat tax evasion etc,.. yes part of the Greek economy depends on tourism specially the island people but i see no problem there incoming tourists to Greece don't come from one country but come from every corner of the world, example, Chinese people voted Greece there best tourist destination,..what i will say is this, stop getting your news about Greece from the financial times, economist and wall street journal ,.... there is nothing tragic what is going on in Greece as a matter of fact is a good think, that has pushed the Greek politicians and Greek public to getting are house in order,... yes some people don't like it in Greece, the farmers were recently out demanding more benefits from the government, blocking with there tractors the main roads in Greece went on for some days, weeks, but in the end they got nothing, now they have left the barricades, that's how we Greeks are, we go on the street and demonstrate if we feel are rights are trample upon, we don't sit home and whine,..nothing tragic in that, from what i see all ready in 2011 you will see improvement in the Greek economy,... I will like to ask RT again were was it that Greece or the Greek PM ask any one for a loan?.

armen08 I do agree with your comment. Russia can step in and support Greece in its hour of need.

February 15, 2010, 16:58, Akropolis wrote > Am Greek, i like to ask RT were was it that the Greek prime minister asked any one for loans? ...the Greek PM ...said we will deal with this on are own there is no problem in Greece... So you're Greek? And you are not fully aware of the situation? You're claiming Greeks will do it on their own? Well, please find information on the Internet about how many billions Greece needs to pay until the year's end, and then ask yourself HOW Greeks will do it. Good luck. ...We'll continue this conversation in a couple of months.

February 15, 2010, 21:54, Count Cash wrote > Akropolis, > Did the Greek PM know anything about hiding debt from the EU using exotic Wall Steet instruments?

Greece is one of friendly 3 nations (plus English and Serbian)who fight Nazi-from first till last day of WWII....They been always friendly to Russia true history and all of this shall not be forgoten! In this hard time of such of Great nation and civilization as Greece I think Russia shall help them! Im sure Russia will somehow help them...Thanke you!

Greece is in the russian sphere of influence - I would never thought of that! What next would be the object of russian wishful thinking? Turkey? :D

In a few years all Europe will be in the russian sphere of influence. Th world is changing more quickly than we think.

I guess Greek style democracy can't pay their expenses. I wonder if this guy was the former socialist prime-minister of the 80s. He didn't practice democracy or good business sense! When will the EU nations learn that socialism and high taxes will not produce success and prosperity?

I do not think that it is money being discussed. Goldman Saks holds the noose around Greece's neck, and EU cannot do much about it either. And what does Goldman need? It wants Greece to get out of South Stream. Most people missed what happened with South Stream. While all the action was getting Bulgaria and Serbia on board, the south branch of South Stream got no attention. With the arrival of more malleable government in Sofia, it looked like delay was assured. But, quietly, South Stream first moved to save money by taking the route of Blue Stream into Turkish waters. The move was first thought to avoid Ukrainian waters. Suddenly, Turkey, Russia and Italy signed the deal getting the southern branch top priority. France joined in. It became clear --- belatedly --- that it is BULGARIA that was to be bypassed. From Turkey, pipeline goes directly to Greece, and as planned to Italy. Greece was not on a horizon before, as this branch was to come from BULGARIA, and that was safely put on hold. Greece is now getting the full fledged punishment for undermining US wishes. Keep in mind that Greece's debt, as bad as it is, is still manageable. This pressure on Greece is political. EU, being EU, and not known for ability to do anything for itself, is in horror. Goldman can now put euro in trouble, if they really lean on Greece. This is why EU is not helping , and is abandoning Greece to Goldman's tender mercies. Prime Minister went to Moscow to find a way to get out of the South Stream. Russia will have to shell out some money to keep the deal intact. And it is doubtful if Greece can do it. This is Goldman Saks vs. Greece, and nobody to the rescue. Translate, this is Hillary vs. Greece, with Goldman playing the Guido debt collector. Greece needs to decide where it belongs. EU has tossed it out to fend for itself. Greece MUST default, and let EU pay off Goldman Saks. If it has the courage to do so.