ATHENS — Greece has invited bids for state-owned gas company DEPA, a day after Greek Environment Minister George Papaconstantinou met the president of Gazprom Export, Alexander Medvedev, to discuss energy policy and Greece's privatization program, according to a ministry statement.

The sale is part of a privatization program targeted to raise 19 billion euros ($25.5 billion) by 2015. Greece, which owns a 65 percent stake in DEPA, would retain a 34 percent stake. The deadline for bids is March 22.

The head of Prometheus Gas, a joint venture between Gazprom and Greece's Copelouzos Group, also attended the meeting. Greek daily Ta Nea said Wednesday that Prometheus Gas would be among companies bidding for the DEPA tender.

(Reuters)