Greece's interests, as the country is building a new economic model in the post-bailout era, are in full alignment with the Belt and Road Initiative, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Katrougalos told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The top diplomat made his remarks during an exclusive interview at his office in central Athens shortly before traveling to Beijing to participate in the upcoming second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation later this week, accompanying Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Katrougalos explained the reason he chose China to be among the first countries he visited as Greek Foreign Minister in March this year, is that the two countries enjoy probably the best ever level of bilateral relations and a full alignment of their economic interests.
In recent years, the comprehensive strategic partnership between Greece and China has been deepened and expanded in many areas.
Greece values friendship with China, the Greek minister said.
There is mutual respect between the two countries representing ancient civilizations and very important economic synergies developed especially around the port of Piraeus where China's COSCO Shipping has invested in the past decade, posting impressive results.
The investment in Greece's largest port is a huge success, because it is a win-win situation, the top Greek diplomat noted. The two sides have a common goal to see Piraeus become top port of the Mediterranean regarding transshipment of goods.
COSCO's investment at Piraeus has also helped local society which has been hit hard by the decade-long economic crisis, he explained.
Regarding plans for the future, Greece wants to associate the Belt and Road Initiative with the connectivity projects of the European Union, so that the port of Piraeus will be connected to central Europe and to the Balkans via railways, via auto routes, Katrougalos said.
For Greece, BRI is an example how the two countries should envisage the future relations of all countries regarding their economic prosperity, he said.
Greece believes in multilateralism and that international commerce is the best way of finding win-win combination of interests and ensuring mutual profit.
