Chinese, Greek PMs discuss bilateral cooperation over phone

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had a phone conversation Wednesday with his Greek counterpart, Antonis Samaras, on the latest development in their countries' relations and cooperation.

Samaras told Li that the Greek Parliament has approved a cooperation agreement between shareholders of the Greek port of Piraeus and the Chinese shipping giant Cosco. The approval, said Samaras, will strongly propel the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

Li positively valued the achievements in Sino-Greek relations and welcomed the decision of the Greek Parliament, saying that it has laid a legal foundation for expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation.

Li said he has just reached consensus with leaders of central and eastern European countries on building a land-sea express passage linking China and Europe via Piraeus and a Hungary-Serbia railway. As a preliminary result, relevant parties have signed documents on facilitating customs clearance, he added.

The Chinese premier said the land-sea express route will be built mainly with Chinese equipment in conformity with EU standards and laws. The project will benefit countries along the route and enhance the EU's balanced development and European integration, he said.

Commending the Greek government's will and support for the construction of the express passage, Li said China is ready to maintain consultations and coordination with all related countries including Greece in order to complete the construction of the passage at an early date with a purpose to facilitate logistics between China and Greece and between China and Europe so as to lift cooperation to a higher level.

Samaras, for his part, said China's cooperation with central, eastern and southern European countries brings opportunities for Greek-Chinese relations.

Greece is willing to take this advantage, deepen its collaboration with China in various fields, jointly build the express passage and achieve a win-win situation, he added.