The Belt and Road forum for international cooperation to be held in Beijing in mid-May will promote all-round practical cooperation and address problems in the global economy and globalization, a scholar from Cyprus told Xinhua in an interview.
Kosta Gouliamos, rector of European University Cyprus, said the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping is "the most appropriate means" to strengthen international economic and cultural cooperation.
"I strongly believe that this initiative comprises more than physical connections as it aims to create the world's largest platform of economic coordination, including policy coordination, trade, finance collaboration and social and cultural cooperation," he said.
An expert in political communication as well as media and cultural studies, Gouliamos' many books on international economy and globalization have been translated into English, French, Spanish and Italian.
"We strongly support the Chinese president's leading effort to create the world's largest economic and cultural platform within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, a modern network that would link China with the various areas and countries of the world," he said.
He said Cyprus could be an important player in promoting this initiative given its geographical location in the world, and could perform "a vital geo-political and geo-cultural role."
"First of all, I would like to see the financial type of cooperation within the framework that also includes energy collaboration. Secondly, the cultural and educational aspect of this initiative is of paramount importance for us," said Gouliamos, who believed investments in those areas are viable and will bring mutual benefits to Cyprus and China.
The European University Cyprus boasts the largest number of Chinese students in the island country. According to Gouliamos, around 60 students from China currently attend classes in the university during the current semester, a number he said is small in quantity but big in ratio given the small size of the university.
"Some students are doing their master's degree here, so we are in cooperation with a number of Chinese universities and we think it is extremely important to enhance this relationship," he added.
"We would also like to send students from here to China. One of our students is currently doing her master's degree in law in China," Gouliamos said.
