A major challenge for our government
The official visit by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to China this week comes at a critical time for Greece. Indeed it represents an extremely important, and possibly unique, opportunity for our country to promote its advantages as a bridge between the West and the East. That which Greece has failed to achieve up until now – to become a junction point between Europe and the Balkans and between the European Union and the Middle East – can still be realized through cooperation with the ascendant giant of the Far East. In its insatiable search for new markets, China is seeking to establish transit hubs at ports in our region. This promises a boost to trade and tourism that could lift Greece out of the economic quagmire in which it has been languishing. Thanks to ongoing cooperation between Greece and China ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and to Chinese respect for a civilization as ancient as its own, Greece is finding many doors open in China and a real desire for cooperation – something which is not a given for many other Western countries. During the scheduled visit by the premier, who will be accompanied by 30 Greek businessmen, several pacts are to be signed, including one setting out a framework for bilateral economic cooperation. It now remains for the Greek State and private companies to prove that they are able to exploit opportunities and pave the way for extensive cooperation with an extremely dynamic country such as China, so that the Greek economy can finally become more forward-looking. As highlighted by a poll conducted by VPRC, and whose results were made public in yesterday’s Kathimerini, Greeks are well-disposed toward the Chinese and are keen to develop ties with Beijing. In view of the lack of foreign investment in Greece, it is imperative that the economy focus in new directions. And China presents a major challenge and unique opportunity for Greece’s political leadership today.
