Qatar to invest in Greek defense sector?

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ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Qatar is considering investing in some areas of Greece's defense sector.

Possible companies of interest include the state-owned Hellenic Defense Systems and Hellenic Vehicle Industry, which the Greek government is considering privatizing.

Other major Greek armament companies include EADS 3 Sigma, Econ group, Elviemek, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Hellenic Arms Industry, OMI Ordtech Military Industries and Pyrkal.

Greek Defense Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos said that Qatar is interested in Greek defense companies being privatized and could submit investment plans when Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras visits Qatar early next year, capital.gr website reported.

After meeting with Qatari Crown Prince Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha Panagiotopoulos said: "Qatar is interested in a series of privatizations regarding the Greek defense industry. They expect Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' official visit here in the first few months of 2013, and they believe that the conditions will then be ripe for specific proposals and investment plans in our country."