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] PM Tsipras to sign joint statement upgrading strategic partnership with China while in Beijing

[01] PM Tsipras to sign joint statement upgrading strategic partnership with China while in Beijing

Tsipras and a large Greek delegation were scheduled to depart for a six-day visit to China on Friday, where he is to meet the Chinese premier on Monday.

The joint statement will have two sections, the first of which will concern a higher level of political dialogue between the two countries on international and regional issues of mutual interest. This is seen as exceptionally useful, given China's weight in world affairs and its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The economic section of the statement will refer to bilateral cooperation in sectors such as technology, trade, investments, transport and infrastructure.

The two sides will also sign separate agreements on cooperation in culture, education, investments and exports during the Greek prime minister's visit, while the Greek delegation that is expected to have numerous contacts with world-class Chinese companies. More business meetings and the signature of agreements between Greek and Chinese companies are expected to take place during a business forum organised during the visit.

There are high hopes that Tsipras' visit will help raise Sino-Greek economic and political relations to a new level according to five academic institutions making up the Consortium for Chinese Studies in Greece. These include the International Economic Relations Institute (IDOS), the Panteion University's International Relations Institute, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Economic Policy, the Political Science and International Relations Department of the University of the Peloponnese and the Aegean University's Mediterranean Studies department.

According to an analysis issued by the consortium, emphasis has been given to cooperation between Greek shipping companies and Chinese shipyards, while efforts are being made to attract Chinese tourists with encouraging results. There is less progress, by contrast, on creating the conditions to increase Greek exports to China, despite the enormous size of the Chinese market, which ranks second in the world with a GDP of six trillion dollars.

The consortium noted that the prime minister's visit, which coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, should aim to achieve the following goals:

a) Confirm Greece's role as a transit centre on the Europe-East Asia maritime trade route, with support for logistics and intermodal transport services and rapid completion of the Piraeus port privatisation.

b) Further promote Greece as a focus of investment interest, encouraging links between Greek and Chinese firms.

c) Support Greek business in their efforts for an organised expansion into the Chinese market, in order to take advantage of an anticipated increase in private consumption and boost Greek exports.

d) Help increase the flow of Chinese tourists to Greece by facilitating access.

e) Develop cohesive strategic cooperation between Greek and Chinese educational and research institutions.

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