Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis met in Beijing on Monday, 16 May 2011, with Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Song Tao, with whom he had talks on bilateral cooperation issues. The two sides referred to the importance for Greek-Chinese relations of the opening of the Air China direct route from Athens the Beijing and the streamlining effect of the agreement signed by the two sides on the issuing of entry visas for Chinese and Greeks wishing to visit each other’s country.
The two sides referred to the profound friendship and mutual admiration maintained by the peoples of the two countries, as was apparent from the Greek assistance in evacuating 13,500 Chinese from Libya, which was seen as a manifestation of friendship on the part of Greece. Correspondingly, Mr. Kouvelis spoke of the substantial support and trust of China in the Greek economy from Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang, as well as from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, during his visit to Athens in October 2010.
The main conclusions of the meeting concerned the commitment of Greece and China to continue deepening their cooperation in the political, economic and cultural sectors. The two sides talked about the prospects for cooperation opening up within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed by Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Athens on 4 October 2010.
Mr. Kouvelis referred to Greece’s support for the granting to China of market economy status within the framework of the World Trade Organization. Moreover, mention was made of the two sides’ intention to further expand their cooperation in the economic and commercial sectors and to intensify the creation of synergies in sectors including technology, transport, IT, communications, basic infrastructure, new forms of energy and processing of agricultural products. The two countries also agreed to facilitate the exchange of business delegations to strengthen cooperation in the economic and commercial sectors.
Mr. Kouvelis and his counterpart, Song Tao, then signed the joint declaration on facilitation of issuing of entry visas for Chinese and Greece citizens at the two countries’ respective consular missions.
Mr. Kouvelis also met with the Vice President of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Mr. Du Jiang. The meeting looked at the great symbolic and practical value of the direct air link between Greece and China. Mr. Kouvelis stated the Greek government’s commitment to providing undivided support for the success of this endeavor, with the aim of deepening cooperation between the two sides.
During his visit to China, Mr. Kouvelis gave interviews to a number of Chinese media outlets.
During his visit, Mr. Kouvelis will attend a special event – to be attended by tour operators and journalists – being hosted by the Greek Embassy in Beijing to mark the opening of the Athens-Beijing direct flight. He will also attend a special event at Beijing’s airport and another upon arriving from Beijing at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport at 10:30 on Wednesday.
May 16, 2011