Athens: The Greek prime minister Alex Tsipras has reassured his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang that Greece still values Chinese foreign investment.
Li contacted the prime minister, asking him to support China’s bid in for a 67% stake in the privatisation of Piraeaus Port Authority, which the Greek government has postponed.
China’s Cosco is one of four foreign companies in the running to take the majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority. The privatisation is currently being “reassessed” by the government.
“The Pireaus port project is very important to the Greek economy, and is a leading cooperation project between the two countries. Greece will give it more attention and support,” Tsipras told Li by phone on Wednesday, according to the Chinese government’s website.
“I hope the two sides abide by their commitments. China is willing cooperate with Greece… to convert the port into a gateway between China and Europe,” Li said.
He added that he hoped the Greek government will provide better legal protections for Chinese firms in Greece.
Meanwhile, Greece’s defence minister Panos Kammenos said on Tuesday that the country may look to China for financial support with its €240bn EU-IMF bailout commitments if talks fail with the EU. Kammenos suggested Russia and the USA might also provide assistance.
