Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke today on the phone with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary since Greco-Chinese relations were elevated to strategic status through the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in 2006.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis and President Xi reaffirmed that bilateral relations are at a high level and recapped the multifaceted cooperation between Greece and China. Particular emphasis was placed on investment, bilateral trade, tourism and cultural collaboration.
The two leaders agreed that the “Greece-China Year of Culture and Tourism”, which will officially start in September 2021 and continue into 2022, is a befitting opportunity to further strengthen relations and increase tourist flows between the two countries.
Mr Mitsotakis and Mr Xi also discussed international and regional matters, among them the relations between the EU and China. The significant role that China can play as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the consolidation of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, on the basis of international law, was underlined.
The Prime Minister expressed Greece’s appreciation for China’s steadfast, principled position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council for the resolution of the Cyprus issue on the basis of the Security Council’s resolutions.
It was stressed that Greece is an important actor for peace in the region, a fact that works to the benefit of the international community, including China.
The two leaders also discussed the latest developments in Greco-Turkish relations. The need to maintain the recent de-escalation, so as to keep lines of communication open, was underscored.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the goal of dialogue is to build an atmosphere of trust, which requires, by necessity, full respect for international law in practice and the avoidance of provocations against both Greece and Cyprus.
Mr Xi invited Mr Mitsotakis to the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Beijing. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation.
