Mitsotakis to Xinhua News Agency: 'Greece's intention is to bridge three continents'

Greece-China relations have entered a new era, characterized by a dynamic cultural and economic collaboration, said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Xinhua News Agency on Saturday, the People's Republic of China official state-run news outlet, interviewed at his Maximos Mansion office only hours before his departure to China, where he arrived on Saturday afternoon shortly after 3 pm-Athens time.

Greek Premier Mitsotakis was speaking to Xinhua in view of attending the six-day China International Import Expo 2019 in Shanghai, November 5-10, where Greece is one of the honored countries. While in China, the PM will meet with the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and top business officials.

"The cornerstone of the two countries' relationship is summed up in just two words: mutual respect, which is derived from a great historical heritage and solid business cooperation," the prime minister said and he added how both sides have thus far forged a harmonious, friendly relationship.

Mitsotakis emphasized that the second annual China International Import Expo 2019 is an excellent opportunity to highlight the strong cooperation between Greece and China.

The PM underlined that Greece is committed to giving rise to a friendly, open entrepreneurial context and assured the country is a field of equal opportunities, as far as investors are concerned.

Greece's "spirit of openness," he noted, "reflects the country's intention to bridge three continents," particularly now that "Greece has regained its position on the global map as an extrovert economy," said the Greek Premier.

A clear indication of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries is COSCO's investment at the port of Piraeus in Athens, Mitsotakis observed.

Greece's prime minister then highlighted some key areas of cooperation, where he would like, as he said, to see "deeper, more substantial progress," these being the agricultural sector, mainland transport, shipping, energy, telecommunications, research and technology and "of course, tourism," he concluded.