Greece-China relations have entered a new era, characterized by a dynamic cultural and economic collaboration, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday.
The Greek prime minister was interviewed by Xinhua, the People’s Republic of China official state-run news outlet, at his Maximos Mansion office only hours before his departure to China.
Mitsotakis arrived in China on Saturday, shortly after 3 pm-Athens time. He will be attending the six-day China International Import Expo 2019 in Shanghai, November 5-10, where Greece is one of the honored countries.
While in China, the PM will meet with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and top business officials.
“The cornerstone of the two countries’ relationship is summed up in just two words: mutual respect, which is derived from a great historical heritage and solid business cooperation,” the prime minister said and he added how both sides have thus far forged a harmonious, friendly relationship.
Mitsotakis emphasized that the second annual China International Import Expo 2019 is an excellent opportunity to highlight the strong cooperation between Greece and China.
The PM underlined that Greece is committed to create a friendly, open entrepreneurial context and assured the country is a field of equal opportunities, as far as investors are concerned.
Greece’s “spirit of openness,” he noted, “reflects the country’s intention to bridge three continents,” particularly now that “Greece has regained its position on the global map as an extrovert economy,” said the Greek Premier.
A clear indication of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries is COSCO’s investment at the port of Piraeus in Athens, Mitsotakis noted.
Speaking further, Greece’s prime minister then highlighted some key areas of cooperation, where he would like, as he said, to see “deeper, more substantial progress,” these being the agricultural sector, mainland transport, shipping, energy, telecommunications, research and technology and “of course, tourism,” he concluded.
On Monday, Mitsotakis will meet with the Chairman of the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Jianrong Yang. After that, he will address the inauguration of the Greek-Chinese Business Forum. The Greek business mission will then have the opportunity to explore collaborations with several executives of Chinese companies, in individual meetings.
Later in the day, the Greek PM will be received at COSCO’s HQ by the Company’s President Xu Lirong and a working lunch will follow. Following that, Mitsotakis will meet with the President of the Bank of China.
After that, the Greek PM will hold an official bilateral meeting with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, at the Presidential Hostel in Shanghai. A dinner gala held by President Xi Jinping in honor of the leaders of the honored countries will follow.
(Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency)
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