Putin had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Greece

This was reported on the Kremlin website.

It is noted that the parties discussed ways of further development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

"The need was noted to intensify the work of the Mixed Commission on Economic, Industrial and Scientific and Technical Cooperation with an emphasis on expanding the legal framework of bilateral relations," the statement said.

It is reported that "special attention was paid to the planned for 2021" cross "Year of History, including in the context of the upcoming celebration in Greece of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the national liberation struggle for independence.

Also during the conversation, they discussed "the situation in connection with the change in the status of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul."

“The exceptional cultural, historical and spiritual significance of this unique World Heritage site is underlined. The importance of its preservation as a universal human property, a symbol of peace and harmony was noted, ”the Kremlin said.

In addition, the parties touched upon "a number of issues on the regional agenda, including the settlement in Libya and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Earlier, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Mehmet Samsar said that the icons and frescoes of the Hagia Sophia will be preserved in their current form, despite the change in the status of the museum to a mosque.