The former prime minister and former president of the ND, Kostas Karamanlisaddressed the anniversary event for the 30 years since its establishment Greek-Chinese Commercial, Industrial, Tourist and Maritime Chamberemphasizing her strategic importance which the bilateral relations during the days of his rule.
THE Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that almost before twenty yearsh Greece and the China managed to give a “unprecedented dynamics» in their relationships, which until then were sporadic (political) and limited (financially).
Despite the fact that the two countries were remote and different as to sizethe economy and the geopolitical integration (or Greece as a member NATO and EU), the 2006 signed the Integrated Strategic Partnershipwhich set the relations to new base. This was achieved thanks to convergence of political will and strategic objectives.
OR Greece as pmaterial and the COSCO
THE former prime minister explained that the success it was due to one coincidence strategic objectives: h government had to him multidimensional approach with the aim of making her Greece is a strategic hub for the wider area, while the economic development her China was looking for entrance gate towards the European markets.
In the context of this new dynamic, the Karamanlis government mainly focused on shippingthe trade and him tourismrecognizing him dynamic shipping sector as comparative advantage.
(KOSTAS TZOUMAS/EUROKINISSI)
As prime example of this strategy was mentioned the official visit of President Hu Jintao the 2008which founded the collaboration with signing an agreement for taking over from COSCO of operation and management two terminals at port of Piraeus.
THE Karamanlis underline her strategic importance of her investment: «At that time, no other serious international actor had expressed interest in the port of Piraeus».
The fact that today manifests strong mobility for creation competitive port infrastructures constitutes, as he said, the better proof her success hers political choice. Today, the port of Piraeus it’s the 8th largest in the world and the bigger at Mediterranean.
The speech of Kostas Karamanlis in detail
“Dear members of the Board of Directors and members of the Greek-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism & Shipping,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank you for honoring me today. The 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Greek-Chinese Chamber marks a long path of contribution to Greek-Chinese business relations and contribution to the business development of our country. And it updates the geopolitical vision we share of establishing Greece as a hub for development and cooperation in the region by leveraging all our comparative advantages.
Almost twenty years ago, Greece and China agreed and managed to give an unprecedented dynamic to our relations. Until then, our political contacts were sporadic and our economic relations limited. At first glance, it is not obvious what made two countries, so distant from each other and so different in terms of size, economy and geopolitics, since Greece is a member of NATO and the EU, to give such a boost to their relations in such a short period of time. Nevertheless, in 2006 we signed the Integrated Strategic Partnership which put Greek-Chinese relations on a new footing and gave them a truly strategic character. In this we were also helped by the conjuncture, but above all by the convergence of political will and strategic aspirations from both sides.
The fortuitous coincidence of the consecutive hosting of the Olympic Games by our two countries led us to become closer. The passing of the Olympic Games baton from Athens in 2004 to Beijing in 2008 gave us a unique opportunity to collaborate on a topic that referred to a common characteristic of ours: the ancient character of our cultures. Something to which we both attach special importance and which we honor throughout time. We then saw the opportunity presented for a more intensive bilateral approach. In 2005, we established a Joint Olympic Cooperation Committee with the aim of cooperating and offering to China the know-how gained during the organization of the Athens Olympic Games.
(KOSTAS TZOUMAS/EUROKINISSI)
This was the moment. But, at the same time, there was also the coincidence of mutually complementary strategic pursuits of Greece and China. Our government had a multidimensional approach to its foreign policy, with an emphasis on economic diplomacy and with the aim of making Greece a strategic hub for the wider region. On the other hand, China’s economic development was leading it to expand its economic influence beyond its borders and Greece was chosen as the most suitable gateway to European markets.
From the anniversary event of the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Shipping, on the occasion of the completion of 30 years since its foundation entitled “1995-2025. Bridging Cultures and Creating the Future in Greek-Chinese Business Relations”, at the “Hellenic World” Culture Center
Within the context of this new dynamic, our government has focused mainly on shipping, trade and tourism. Our dynamic shipping sector was our great comparative advantage, on which the main interests and priorities of the two countries could meet. The readiness to proceed with the privatization of important ports also contributed to this. At the same time, Greek exports, especially those of quality agricultural products, such as olive oil and wine, were a central point of our economic diplomacy. And in the tourism sector, the “heavy industry” of Greece, we saw a huge opportunity in the expected increase in the mobility of Chinese tourists. And indeed, at that time the way was opened for a significant increase in trade, investment and tourist flows.
I would like to dwell in particular on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that we signed in 2006, during my visit to China, and its strategic importance in the field of our maritime cooperation. A key element of this agreement was the provision that, given the unique importance of shipping and shipbuilding in our bilateral economic and trade relations, the two countries would encourage cooperation between our ports and shipping businesses. Also, we would help to make direct sea transportation through our ports to neighboring countries and regions. The goal was to make Greece the main gateway for Chinese products to the Balkans and European markets. A second objective was the possible assembly of Chinese products, before their entry into these markets, in factories that would be established in Greece. And the third objective was the transport of these products to the international markets through Greek-owned ships. Thus, this prediction was the forerunner for the flagship of the Greek-Chinese relationship: cooperation, that is, in the shipping sector.
(KOSTAS TZOUMAS/EUROKINISSI)
Already in 2008, the official visit to Greece by President Hu Jintao established this cooperation with the signing of an agreement for COSCO to take over the operation and management of two container terminals in the port of Piraeus. The investment was one of the largest ever made in Greece. Today, the port of Piraeus is the 8th largest in the world, 3rd in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean, according to recent measurements. It should be noted that, at that time, no other serious international factor had expressed interest in the port of Piraeus. The fact, in fact, that today there is a strong movement towards the creation of competitive port infrastructures is the best proof of the success of that political choice.
At the same time, Greek shipowners were quick to recognize the opportunities offered by emerging outward-looking Chinese growth and the Chinese shipbuilding industry. More than 60% of Chinese imports were carried by Greek-owned ships and about half of exports. In addition, more than 400 Greek-owned ships were built in China within a period of 10-15 years, making Greek shipowners the most important customers of Chinese shipyards.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The dynamic that Greek-Chinese relations acquired at that time offered many opportunities. However, he encountered and continues to encounter objective difficulties. There may be significant differences between Greece and China, mainly in terms of size, but also the inclusion in different geopolitical formations, but there is mutual respect, which also stems from the ancient origins of our cultures. The work that this Chamber has been doing for the last 30 years is important, not only from a business point of view, but also in relation to Greece’s extroversion and its position in the region. Greece-China relations produce mutual benefits. With the actions and initiatives in the maritime sector as the main pillar, we can be optimistic about the future”.