Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Tuesday called for further cooperation between China and Greece in the fields of investment, trade, shipping, tourism and start-ups.

Kotzias pointed out that although the drivers of growth in China and Greece are different in terms of both scale and rate, the two economies can better develop economic and social contacts, adding that increasing cultural and education exchanges are vital for a more substantial development of bilateral relations.

He made the remarks while visiting the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing on Tuesday, one day after he met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Kotzias said: "Greece is in a position to perceive the historical importance of the major projects that comprise the Belt and Road Initiative."

Actually, the cooperation on connectivity between China and Greece has achieved early harvests in recent years, which is epitomized by the Port of Piraeus. 55 shipping lines, with the port as their hub, cover the neighboring region of the Mediterranean and connect continents around the world, and the port has directly contributed over 600 million euros to Greece's economy and generated more than 10,000 jobs.

"The cooperation between China and Greece under the framework of BRI is a successful example and provides precious experience for the West and East to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind," said Cai Fang, vice president of the CASS.

During his visit to CASS, Kotzias also discussed with Chinese scholars key issues regarding China-Greece bilateral relations, Greece and the BRI, cultural exchanges, and the relationship between Greece and the EU. 

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