



Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Athens with the aim of seeking investment opportunities in Greece’s privatization program. Mr. Keqiang, accompanied by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a large governmental delegation, is expected to arrive in Athens on June 19 and to remain in Greece until June 21.

The goal of the Greek government and the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, is to ensure a stronger Chinese participation in Greece’s privatization program and to promote further development on the cooperation between their countries. China has already expressed interest in the port of Thessaloniki and in the sale of the 67% stake in Piraeus Port Authority (PPA).

During their talks with their Chinese counterparts, Government officials argue that the successful example of COSCO’s investment in Piraeus could be the basis for further cooperation in the investment field, as Greece – due to its strategic location in Southeast Europe and its proximity to the Suez Canal – has every potential to become the main gateway of Chinese products and investment funds in the European Union.

So far the interest of Cosco for the Piraeus Port Authority is well known, but Chinese investors are also looking at the Athens internatioonal airport. “Friedmann Pacific Asset Management Limited and Shenzhen Airport Co Ltd,” the consortium operating the Shenzhen airportare bidding for a controlling interest of Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.

Mr Li Keqiang will also be visiting Crete. Athens is placing great emphasis on improving the export of Greek products to China. The Chinese Premier will also discuss with his Greek counterpart on improving maritime cooperation and will sign a memorandum on the issue.



