ATHENS — Greece and Russia helped each others at critical times, Russian Federation Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during a state dinner on Wednesday, noting his country's contribution to the Greek people's struggle for independence.

"Russian Navy officers were part of the international peace mission to Crete. Russian soldiers and officers fought at the Macedonian Front during World War I. In World War II, they fought next to Greek rebels against the invading Nazis," he noted.

Mishustin also referred to a long history of ties between the two countries, and to common history, cultural and spiritual values, and the mutual regard between them. The two peoples will have an opportunity to learn more of each other through the current Greek-Russian Year, he added.

The friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries provide a stable foundation for collaboration in several sectors, he said, from transportation and energy to agricultural businesses and high technology, and he also mentioned the great affection Russians have for Greek resorts.

He said that the coronavirus pandemic has brought changes to the joint agenda of the two countries, which should promote collaboration and projects that benefit their peoples. They must also build constructive dialog between Russia and the European Union, based on equality and mutual respect of interests. "We have every opportunity to take action," he said.