Success for both

Greece’s decision of opening tourism to China a 'vote of confidence’ for epidemic control: ambassador

China and Greece can work together and overcome the coronavirus crisis with a stronger relationship. As the crisis has created a dreadful, unprecedented situation, it’s necessary to open up economies and help each other by promoting trade and investment in all the fields that both Greece and China are interested in, the Greek Ambassador told the Global Times.

Ambassador Georgios Iliopoulos told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that Greece is happy to have Chinese investments like the Port of Piraeus projects, which he called a huge success for both countries.

Asked about the fact that China’s help to the international community in the fight against coronavirus is smeared by some as having ulterior motives of increasing its regional influence, Iliopoulos noted to the Global Times in the interview that aid has often been seen as a facet of public diplomacy and a strategic foreign policy tool aimed at enhancing the donor country’s soft power.

“I see no problem with this, as long as any aid, from any country, is carried out in the spirit of true friendship and assistance in sustaining the fight against the pandemic. Moreover, it has to demonstrate willingness of donor countries to become responsible stakeholders in our common effort to spur again economic growth under the principles of equity, fairness, reciprocity, transparency, with a same set of rules and a level playing field. It is high time we focus on what lies ahead – restarting our economies,” he said.

China sent free medical aid supplies and medical aid teams, as well as shared its own experience in combating the virus, to help other countries and international organizations recover from the pandemic.

Safe destination

Regarding economic ties and cooperation, the ambassador said Greece’s successful response to the coronavirus crisis makes the country an ideal candidate to become a major shareholder in this year's limited global tourism market.

We are looking forward to receiving larger numbers of quality visitors from Chi-na in thematic trips, such as luxury, educa-tional, health and wellness, sports, leisure and, of course, cultural and gastronomic tourism. The much-anticipated expansion of air flight connections between China and Greece in the near future and Greece's registration as a safe destination will be decisive in achieving this aim," he said.

This year, Greece's long-awaited tourist season begins in June. The Greek govern-ment has announced that as of June Greece's doors will open again for tourists from a specific group of 29 countries with good epidemiological characteristics, in-duding China. This is obviously a "vote of confidence" for China's efforts in contain-ing the pandemic, and a telling example of the importance attached by Greece on our bilateral tourism relations, he added.

According to the ambassador, economic relations between the two countries should