ATHENS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th August, 2018) Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Monday held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during which he conveyed an invitation on behalf of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Athens.
"We are two countries, two people, two Ministers who trust each other and we are working together in confidence. That's the most important thing in international relations. Our main goal is to deepen our political cooperation. I have extended and invitation from the Prime Minister to the President of the country to visit Athens, to have cooperation, to deepen the cooperation between our two Ministries," Kotzias told reporters, as quoted in the ministry's press release.
According to the press release, Kotzias also invited his "dear friend" Wang to visit Greece.
"It is always a great pleasure to be together with the Foreign Minister of China and dear friend Mr Wang Yi, I would like to thank him for this invitation and hope to see him soon in Athens, upon the invitation I extended to him today," Kotzias said.
The Greek minister stressed that Beijing was a reliable friend of Athens. He also expressed Greek support to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
China's strategy, known as "One Belt, One Road" until 2016, was first announced by Xi in 2013 and is aimed at developing infrastructure and strengthening ties between the Eurasian countries. The initiative focuses mainly on the Maritime Silk Road and on the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt.
