Dendias – Greece can be a gateway from Asia to Europe

“Greece can be a gateway from Asia to Europe,” said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who is visiting Athens, while emphasizing that in private At their meeting, the importance that Greece attaches to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was underlined.

According to Mr. Dendias, Greece looks forward to the strengthening of contacts with China after the end of the pandemic, taking into account that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of diplomatic relations.

During the meeting, the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries and the prospect of further investments were discussed in the framework of the implementation of the Joint Declaration of Strategic Relationship Greece – China and in the light of the ratification a few days ago by the Greek Parliament of its transfer. 16% of PPA in Cosco.

“We are looking forward to new investment projects in the largest port in the Mediterranean, one of the largest in the world, perhaps the most historic, and also to the diffusion of economic activity, in order to work beneficially for the local community,” he stressed.

As he stressed, Greece can be an energy hub with the construction of the new liquefied gas station in Alexandroupolis and the interconnectors.

Cooperation in culture and tourism was also discussed, in the light of the start of the year of culture and tourism Greece – China.

Mr. Dendias reminded that a few days ago the Olympic Flame was lit in light of the Beijing Winter Olympics and added that Greece looks forward to organizing joint cultural events and increasing tourist traffic between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister also discussed with his Chinese counterpart the “particularly worrying developments in the Eastern Mediterranean” and the “destabilizing role of Turkey in this”.

“In theory, this region is thousands of kilometers away from China, but destabilization poses risks to the freedom of navigation and the development of international trade in our region, which is of great interest to the Chinese side,” he said. Greece contributes to UNCLOS.

He also referred to “Turkey’s attempt to unite Muslim populations around the world, promoting ideologies such as the Muslim Brotherhood and trying to interfere directly in the internal affairs of other countries.”

Developments in Libya were also examined.

China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, while, as Mr. Dendias reminded, Greece had in the past contributed to the removal of 13,000 Chinese citizens from Libya in 2011 and 2014.

Mr. Dendias thanked his Chinese counterpart for China’s stance as a permanent member of the Security Council on the Cyprus issue and in particular “for China’s firm commitment to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue within the agreed framework of the United Nations.”

Developments in Afghanistan and EU-China relations were also discussed.

In closing, Mr. Dendias thanked his Chinese counterpart for the symbolic move to wear a blue tie, in the colors of the Greek flag.

“The mourning we have today due to the loss of an important Greek politician, Fofi Gennimata, does not allow me to reciprocate the gesture wearing a red tie. “But I will do it when I come to Beijing after your invitation.”

Wang Yi: Willing to develop our maritime cooperation with respect for UNCLOS

“We are ready to deepen and develop China’s maritime cooperation with Greece, respecting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” said the Chinese Foreign Minister.

“We want to promote connectivity with Europe. The investment in the port of Piraeus is the emblematic work of the joint construction of a zone “, he noted and stressed that it has created many jobs and profit to the local community, while it has become the largest port in the Mediterranean.

“This project is the model of mutually beneficial cooperation and is the starting point of the China-Europe land-sea expressway and will become the junction of the third major China-Europe trade route,” he said.

The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed that there is a huge potential for cooperation and a bright development prospect between China and Europe in connectivity.

“China and Greece are not only partners in a mutually beneficial relationship, they are equal friends with the same goals and ideals,” he said and added: “Sino-Greek cooperation is always at the forefront of Sino-European relations and is an example of exchanges and mutual learning between countries with different cultures and social systems. ”

Referring to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, he noted that China “wants to spread the Olympic spirit along with Europe.”

“A few days ago, the Olympic flame of the Beijing Winter Games ignited successfully in Greece and reached China. “Beijing is ready and we have every confidence to offer the Olympics with simplicity, security and brilliance.”

The Chinese minister called on Greek and European athletes to take part in the Games, in order to “spread the principles of the Olympic spirit together, to compete well and to create a beautiful future with the slogan” faster, taller, stronger together for humanity “.

“The politicization of sport distorts Olympism, while fair and pure sports can enhance mutual recognition and understanding between different countries,” he said.

The Chinese minister stressed that China is willing to promote cultural dialogue with Europe.

“The millennial wisdom of our countries is the constant and eternal component of our bilateral relations,” he said, adding: “Cultural exchanges between China and Europe have a history of over 2,000 years and the weight of our history is our greatest wealth.” .

He also said that the two countries have decided to jointly establish the center of ancient Chinese and Greek culture and to promote cooperation in the forum of ancient civilizations and called on more and more European partners to “participate and give stability and positive energy to the cinema. European relationship “.

“Faced with a reality full of uncertainty and instability, as representatives of Eastern and Western culture, we must strengthen dialogue and communication, understanding and mutual trust,” he concluded.