Alexis Tsipras in China to attend Belt & Road Initiative Forum II, April 25-27
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will be travelling to Beijing as of Thursday, accompanied by Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos, to attend the “Belt and Road Initiative Forum II” initiative of China from April 25 to 27.
The initiative, which aims at regional collaborations and connectivity at intercontinental level, will boost trade, investments and infrastructure projects between China and the countries participating in it.
- Tsipras is expected to deliver an address during the opening of the forum on Friday, as well as during the country leaders’ round table discussion on “Strengthening connectivity to find new ways of development”.
- Government sources said that, in conjunction with Greece’s participation in the “17+1 Initiative”, joining the “Silk Road” initiative of China will promote the country’s role as a connectivity hub between Europe and Asia, and benefit the Greek economy to a great degree.
China’s presence in Greece through its investment by Cosco at the Port of Piraeus, sources said, highlights the strategic importance China places on Greece as a rising top container and logistics hub in the region.
- During his official visit to Beijing, Tsipras is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Wang Yang, member both of the Standing Committee and the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China. As government sources noted, Tsipras is one of very few leaders with such high-level appointments scheduled.
The two countries are expected also to sign a new, three-year collaboration framework (2020-2022) between the Greek Ministry of the Economy and China’s National Committee of Development and Reforms. The agreement will focus on energy, transportation, telecoms, manufacture, research and development, and banking.
Schedule
Following is the official schedule of the premier’s meetings, as released by his office at Maximos Mansion, listing local times (-5):
APRIL 26 (Friday)
9:30 Formal inauguration of “Belt and Road Forum II”, Chinese premier’s address
11:30 Plenary of High-Level Dialogue, PM Tsipras’ intervention
13:00 Luncheon with Wang Yang, member of the Standing Committee and of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China
15:30 Bilateral meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang
17:00 Bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
19:30 Official dinner
APRIL 27 (Saturday)
10:30 First Round Table of country leaders on “Strengthening connectivity to find new ways of development”, PM Tsipras’ intervention
13:10 Family photograph
Source: ANA-MPA
Government examining new package of positive measures to be announced after Easter