Europe realises that Greece is a natural link with China, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Thursday in joint statements to the press made following a meeting with visiting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang at Maximos Mansion, government headquarters.
The Chinese premier is on a three-day visit to Greece, during which a total of 19 cooperation agreements with China worth 6.5 billion US dollars will be signed in the sectors of tourism, shipping, infrastructure, transportation and agriculture.
Chinese Premier in an unexpected move expressed Chinese interest in Greek sovereign debt.
Greece’s return to international bond markets in April showed that “the Greek people have the wisdom and ability to emerge from the crisis,” Li told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. When the Greek government next issues bonds, he said, “China will continue to be a long-term, responsible investor.”
Samaras further stressed that what creates the strategic relation between the two countries is that "Greece can become China's entry gateway to Europe, which can also serve as a starting point of an entire investments corridor for China, like the railway networks, linking the ports of Greece with the ports of Europe."
Samaras and Li are to go to Piraeus on Friday morning in a symbolic visit aimed at underlining China’s interest in expanding its presence at the country’s main port.
The Greek prime minister thanked his Chinese counterpart because, as he said, "he kept his word and a year later he is in Athens". Moreover, "because today we are securing a relation of friendship, stability and mutual respect, something that I consider very important and that the rest must realise very well", Samaras said.
On his part, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said, "It is my first visit to the southern regions, as prime minister of China. I feel comfortable in Greece, at at my home. Greece and China are ancient countries with a great culture - one shines in the East and the other in the West, with a great contribution to the development of mankind. There are many similar mentalities between Greece and China."
Replying to questions, Li Keqiang said "global economic recovery is facing challenges and obstacles. I agree with Mr. Samaras that we can promote the port of Piraeus to a hub that will be important for economic development. The Chinese economy has pressure this year, but it is continuing to develop with steady rates. In the first three months it had a growth of 7.4 percent compared to a target of 7.5 percent. The common target is for us to coordinate the economic development rate around 7.5 percent and create 10 million new jobs. We place importance on structural reforms, in order to grow the Chinese economy with steady rates".
Samaras and Li are to go to Piraeus on Friday morning in a symbolic visit aimed at underlining China’s interest in expanding its presence at the country’s main port. Already the Chinese shipping giant Cosco operates two cargo terminals there and it is interested in the acquisition of a 67 percent stake in the Piraeus Port Authority.
Source : ANA-MPA
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