Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-03-27

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Dragasakis, Kotzias' visit to China highlights mutual interest for deeper economic relations

[02] PM Tsipras discusses country's condition with DIMAR leader Kouvelis

[03] Express settlement of state debts expires on Friday

[01] Dragasakis, Kotzias' visit to China highlights mutual interest for deeper economic relations

The meeting, according to an announcement, lasted almost two hours and focused on several issues, including the prospects for the further cooperation between the two countries in various fields with an aim to boost investments and exports. During the meeting, the officials ascertained the mutual interest for the deepening of bilateral economic relations and drafted the next steps based on the three-year action plan prepared by the Foreign Ministry and the government's Vice-Presidency.

Dragasakis in his speech noted that "I am pleased that the relation between our countries has already come a long way and we want to thank you for China having stood by Greece's side during a critical period. The goal of our government is – by supporting what has been already achieved – to proceed with the further deepening and development of our relations, economic, political and cultural ones.

The particular purpose of my own presence here is to specialize and make the prospects of this cooperation even more specific.

First of all, I must say that the Greek people are a peaceful people and we seek stable and friendly relations with all the peoples of our region. We live in a volatile environment with significant hot spots in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, etc. and this is another reason why we attach great importance to our country being able to become a regional center of stability, a hub of world trade and a secure bridge between Asia and Europe, and above all a space of cooperation and dialogue between different peoples, cultures and religions. Our countries, China and Greece, as ancient cradles of civilization can work on many levels aimed at the dialogue of cultures and religions in a partnership that will not be limited only to the economy but will also cover the fields of culture.

It is in this context that we view the Greek-Chinese relations; as a pillar of our national strategy. Greece as a member of the EU firmly supports the development of relations between the EU and China.

We attach strategic importance to the development of Greek-Chinese bilateral relations for the following reasons: Firstly, in economic terms, China's initiative to create a bridge of commercial cooperation with Europe through the Maritime Silk Road coincides with a key aspect of our program for the productive reconstruction of the country. Specifically, a key objective of our government is to expand the productive base of the country and an important dimension of this objective is to exploit the comparative advantages that Greece has in the fields of transit trade, transport and distribution infrastructure and the manufacturing of transferred products. That is exactly, Mr. Vice Premier, why I emphasize that this is a strategic convergence of interests between our countries.

Second, the development of Greek-Chinese relations has a political significance, because it contributes to the symmetry of our international relations. Specifically, Greece as an EU member-state is interested in seizing every opportunity for cooperation offered by the current multi-polar world and this objective is best served with the development of Greece-China's relations. Finally, the development of our relations is also important in terms of culture."

After the end of the meeting, Dragasakis and Ma Kai inaugurated the 2015 Sino-Greek maritime cooperation year.

In his speech during the official inauguration ceremony, Dragasakis said: "My presence here, accompanied by the Greek Foreign Minister, indicates the will of the new government to upgrade the high level of political relations between the two countries into a strong partnership with emphasis on those areas of the economy that have real and unlimited possibilities for cooperation."

After the ceremony, the Chinese delegation hosted a dinner to the Greek officials, during which consultations continued with an aim to strengthen and deepen economic relations between the two countries.

[02] PM Tsipras discusses country's condition with DIMAR leader Kouvelis

According to Kouvelis' statements after the meeting, he agreed with Tsipras that there must not be any further austerity measures in the government's proposals "We support government's effort and I believe that positive messages will exist at the next Eurogroup" noted Kouvelis underlining the very tight liquidity margins that exist and for which the partnerts should be flexible.

The two officials also discussed the possible changes in VAT and the establishment of a just taxation system to crackdown tax evasion.

[03] Express settlement of state debts expires on Friday

Valavani also said that the settlement of debts in 100 installments is applicable. The electronic platform of the settlement will be accessible after Easter as twenty days are needed for its construction after its passing in Parliament.

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