Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-07-01

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Even closer ties with China a 'strategic choice' for Greece, Tsipras tells Xinhua

[01] Even closer ties with China a 'strategic choice' for Greece, Tsipras tells Xinhua

"My visit to Beijing and Shanghai signals Greece and China's joint will to take a big step forward, using our important collaboration in the port of Piraeus as a springboard, on the basis of a new, mutually beneficial agreement and the completion of the Year of Maritime Cooperation [in 2015]," Tsipras said in the interview, a part of which was obtained and republished by the ANA.

It would mark a step toward becoming true strategic partners, with enhanced trade and investment relations in a series of sectors, but also to take political dialogue to a new level at a very critical time, he added.

"On the one hand, we hope to upgrade political dialogue with China on international and regional issues of mutual interest, on which we very often share a common approach and values. The Mediterranean and the Far East may be far apart geographically but in a globalised world, the challenges that we have to face are often share and ever more interconnected. On the other hand, we hope for closer cooperation with China in the economic sector, cooperation with an economic world power. Our trade relations are already at a very good level. The Greek government aims, in particular, to further increase our already significant exports of Greek products to the large Chinese market - especially in the agricultural and foods sector - and to act on the strong interest shown by Chinese companies for investment in Greece, chiefly in the sectors of transport and infrastructure. Exploring cultural and educational exchanges, the transfer of new technology and the growth of tourism flows by organising a direct air connection are also immediate targets," Tsipras said.

The Greek prime minister said his visit to China, which was taking place at a crucial time for the Greek economy but also a difficult moment for the international community and the EU, would be an opportunity to revisit and discuss the contents of the strategic partnership with China.

"We will examine specific political issues that concern Greece and China, we will adopt a Joint Statement of the two premiers and we will sign a series of agreements for cooperation in various sectors of the economy, culture, education and technological research," he said.

Asked about the refugee crisis and the stance adopted by the EU, Tsipras noted that Europe was facing three simultaneous crises that were testing its limits: the economic crisis, refugee crisis and the security crisis.

Greece had found itself at the centre of the economic and refugee crises, for reasons that were often beyond its control or intention, such as the country's geographic position on the EU's external borders, he noted. In spite of this, Greece had repeatedly shown itself willing and able to face and manage crises and produce results, while sticking to its core values, the prime minister added.

"Despite the financial restrictions, we mobilised state mechanisms, acted in coordination with the citizens and social agencies and succeeded in handling refugee flows that often exceeded the local population in the areas of action, while respecting international law, human rights and security. We responded with humanity and efficiency to the challenge of the refugee crisis," he said.

Tsipras noted, however, that such actions could not address the problems that generated the refugee crisis in Syria and the surrounding region.

"Greece, in spite of its size, has undertaken a series of initiatives for understanding and cooperation in the region, while it supports efforts for peace and stability in Syria, Libya, Ukraine and Afghanistan. This is the reason, besides, why we have sought dialogue and cooperation both with our Euro-Atlantic partners and with world and regional players, such as China, Russia, Israel, Egypt and Iran," he added.

Tsipras noted that Greece was in the midst of a systematic effort to overcome the economic crisis and, after difficult negotiations, had succeeded in getting a sustainable agreement.

"For the first time we succeeded in starting a discussion on achieving Greek debt sustainability at the highest level, we are carrying out a series of reforms, we have pushed through a new investment law and the first results are already visible. The economy and employment are recovering, the country is gradually regaining credibility and we will soon be moving with positive rates. A lot still remains to be done, of course, before we regain our lost national prosperity. In any case, however, the worst is now behind us," he said.

The prime minister emphasised Greece's value to China as a gateway to Europe, due to its geographic and geostrategic position, both for Chinese goods and as a 'bridge' for building Sino-European relations. He said the Greek government's goal was to make Greece an intermodal transport hub, dovetailing with China's "One Belt One Road" initiative, and the possible benefits for both sides in transport, logistics and manufacturing.

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