The development and gradual deepening of the strategic partnership between Greece and China over the last 15 years is being outlined by the Deputy Minister for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Kostas Fragkogiannis, in an article in the financial newspaper Shanghai Daily, published on the occasion of the opening, tomorrow, November 5, 2021, of the 4th China International Import Expo (EXPO CIIE) in Shanghai.
It is reminded that Greece was one of the guest countries of honour at the 2nd China International Import Expo in Shanghai in 2019, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis heading the Greek delegation. Greece also participated in the 3rd CIIE and will participate in this year’s 4th CIIE, with a virtual National Pavilion, due to the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his article, the Deputy Minister highlights the wide scope for strengthening cooperation so as to promote the projects and infrastructure required to facilitate international trade, in particular in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 16 + 1 Initiative for strengthening China’s relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
“Greece, due to its strategic geopolitical position, has the potential to become the most important regional infrastructure hub in Southeastern Europe”, writes Mr. Fragogiannis emphasizing at the same time the crucial role of Greek shipping in world trade, but also the operation of Greek ports as gateways to the EU and the Black Sea region.
Mr. Fragogiannis also refers to the modernization reform and upgrading of transport infrastructure that are currently underway in the country (road and rail networks, port infrastructure and air transport infrastructure) and calls on Chinese companies to intensify their activities in Greece, benefiting from Greece’s comparative advantage to being the “gate” to Europe.
You can read the Deputy Minister’s article here.