pipeline ATHENS, Dec 16, SPA -- Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis isdue in Moscow on Monday for an official visit focused onexpanding energy and military cooperation between Russiaand NATO member Greece, reported ap. The three-day trip will include talks with RussianPresident Vladimir Putin amid ongoing negotiations forGreece to buy more than 400 Russian tanks. Defense officials have announced few details of thepossible deal, but state television and other Greek mediasaid the government plans to spend ¤1.2 billion (US$1.7billion) on buying BMP-3M infantry fighting vehicles. The negotiations will take place amid fresh strain betweenMoscow and NATO countries after Russia suspendedparticipation this week in the Conventional Forces inEurope arms control treaty. Greece imports Russian natural gas and in March Putinsigned a deal in Athens to promote construction of a280-kilometer (175-mile) Russian oil pipeline fromBulgaria's Black Sea port of Burgas to Alexandroupolis, innorthern Greece. Putin has visited Greece three times since 2005 anddeveloped a close relationship with Karamanlis. During devastating wildfires in Greece this summer,Karamanlis called on Putin for urgent assistance. Russiansent firefighting planes and helicopters to help Greekfirefighters.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/509822