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Greece and China to strengthen maritime ties
By Louka T. Katseli |
December 7, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MY presence today at the IMO (International Maritime Organization) Assembly, in London, is not allowing me to be with you, during this event that testifies to the close cooperation of Greek and Chinese partners in maritime affairs.
This initiative of the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai can only underline the importance we attach to the cooperation between two old marine nations, Greece and China. Ancient Greeks were sailing around the Mediterranean; Chinese ships were exploring open seas.
Today, sea transportation remains the most cost effective way to move goods around the globe. Ninety percent of the EU's external trade is transported by sea.
In today's highly competitive global environment, Greece remains the first maritime country in the world, in terms of shipping weight and number of commercial vessels. China on the other hand is the largest exporter in the world, both in kind and in volume, and the largest commercial partner to the European Union.
Greece became the first EU country to conclude, in 1996, a bilateral maritime agreement with China. This agreement, strengthened by the relevant EU-China Maritime Agreement of 2002, shows the willingness of both countries to continue to follow the principles of free and fair competition in international shipping.
Despite the global economic slowdown, a considerable, constantly increasing number of Greek vessels are delivered in Chinese shipyards. Greek ship owners are among the best clients of Chinese shipyards.
We want this cooperation not only to be strengthened but also to be matched with further utilization of Greek vessels by Chinese exporters to Europe and around the world.
Our interests and cooperation are furthermore extended in the sector of ports that no longer simply perform their traditional roles. Ports serve today as logistic centers and providers of comprehensive services.
In light of this, we welcome sizable investment in Cosco's Greek port of Piraeus and we are looking forward to our expanded collaboration both with Cosco and other companies to explore profitable investment opportunities for the benefit of our two countries.
I would like to underline that our ministry, as well as I personally, will fully support all serious efforts to strengthen economic and business partnerships between Greece and China.
I am convinced that next year, during the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, we will have the opportunity to monitor and evaluate positively what promise to be important accomplishments in the field of maritime cooperation between Greece and China.
(The author is the Greek Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping. Shanghai Daily adapted the article from her video speech for a maritime event organized by the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai on November 23 to promote Greece-China shipping cooperation.)
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