State visit of Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy to the P.R. of China-Participation in Forum of Maritime Cooperation between China and South European countries-Closing ceremony of Greece-China Maritime Cooperation Year (Xiamen,7-8 Nov 2015)

In the framework of the "Year of Maritime Cooperation Greece-China" declared during the state visit of Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Li Keqiang to Athens (19-21/6/2014), the Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Mr. Thodoris Dritsas visited the P.R. China from the 5th to the 9th of November, accompanied by the Secretary General of the Ministry, Dr. Ioannis Theotokas, the Ambassador of Greece to the P.R.China Mr. Vassilios Costis and other high ranking Ministry officials.

The Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy accepted an invitation of the Chinese government to participate as keynote speaker in the Forum of Maritime Cooperation between China and South European countries themed "Promoting Marine Cooperation, Weaving Blue Dreams". The Forum took place in Xiamen from the 8th to the 9th of November 2015. The works of the Forum were attended by counterparts of the Minister and high level representatives from South European countries (Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus), representatives of marine administrations and the EU Commission. Scientists of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research and members of the Greek academic community participated in the three thematic sessions of the Forum. 

The Minister also declared the end of the "China-Greece Maritime Cooperation Year 2015" during a special ceremony organised in Xiamen. Mr. Dritsas reiterated the strong bilateral cooperation with China, covering the full spectrum of maritime affairs, highlighting the prospects for its further enhancement in the future. As part of the ceremony, Hellenic Post and Chinese Postal Services unvailed a stamp commemorating the Year of Maritime Cooperation, as well as a two volume album on Greek naval history translated in chinese.

Finally, in the margins of the Forum, Minister Dritsas held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Head of State Oceanic Administration of China, Mr. Wang Hong and the Deputy Foreign Minister of China Mr. Qian Hongshan.

State visit of Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy to the P.R. of China
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