Samaras meets Chinese Premier in Milan

The meeting between Antonis Samaras and Li Kechiang took place on the sidelines of the EU-Asian summit in Milan.

The Chinese PM noted to Mr Samaras that he is the first premier that he met in a series of meetings that he will have with foreign leaders. Mr Kechiang expressed his pleasure for the Cosco investments in Piraeus and the prospects for extending it. He also expressed his country's interests for large privatization ventures like the Athens airport, railroads, and the new airport at Kasteli, Crete.

Special mention was made of collaboration on energy projects and rare earth mining. A Chinese delegation has already visited Greece to assess the possibilities for exploiting the country's mineral wealth.

The Chinese premier also noted that Greece is the basic entry point for Chinese products to Europe.

On his part, Mr Samaras reaffirmed the desire of Greece to support China in all matters pertaining to its relationship with the EU.

Finally the two leaders referred to the continuity in cultural cooperation and the establishment of a joint Chinese, Greek, Egyptian committee focusing on decoding ancient languages.