ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
He delivered a powerful message to Mitsotakis, who is stuck to “the right side of history” with complete disregard for Greece’s geopolitical interests
By Nick Stamatakis
Former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent a message in support of strengthening Greek-Chinese relations and further cooperation in the fields of the economy, shipping, and the agri-food sector during a dinner hosted by SEKE and organizations from Xanthi in honor of the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Fang Qiu.
Karamanlis spoke at length about the strategic partnership between Greece and China, emphasizing that the foundations of this relationship were laid about two decades ago, when the Greek government pursued closer ties with Beijing, focusing on shipping, trade, and tourism.
“Greece recognized China’s strategic role early on.”
The former prime minister noted that Greece was among the first European countries to seek closer cooperation with China, at a time when such a move appeared difficult due to geopolitical realities.
As he explained, his government’s strategic vision was to transform Greece into an international hub for cooperation and development by leveraging its geographic position and emphasizing economic diplomacy.
“Our government pursued a multidimensional approach in foreign policy. Our vision was to foster cooperation with various geopolitical powers to establish Greece as a strategic hub of international importance.
With an emphasis on economic diplomacy, Greece would be positioned on the map as the hub where multiple and diverse interests would converge, thereby utilizing its comparative advantages and upgrading its geopolitical significance,” the former prime minister stressed.
He specifically mentioned the agreement with COSCO regarding the Port of Piraeus, describing it as crucial to upgrading Greece’s position on the global trade map. Karamanlis recalled that the 2008 COSCO agreement was one of the largest investments ever made in Greece.
According to him, the Port of Piraeus is now among the five largest ports in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean, while thousands of jobs were created and economic activity significantly increased.
At the same time, he emphasized that the development of Piraeus generated new investment interest from international actors during a period when, as he said, there was no comparable interest from other major powers.
Message of Greece–China cooperation in the agri-food sector
He also placed particular emphasis on the potential for cooperation between Greece and China in the agri-food sector, especially regarding quality products such as Greek olive oil, honey, and agricultural products from Thrace.
The former prime minister described Thrace as a region of special geopolitical, economic, and cultural importance, highlighting the coexistence of Christian and Muslim citizens as an example of harmonious living together.
The role of SEKE and exports to more than 30 countries
Karamanlis also spoke extensively about SEKE’s activities, describing it as the leading cooperative enterprise in the tobacco sector in Greece and the Balkans.
As he stated, the group exports tobacco products to more than 30 countries, cooperates with major multinational tobacco companies, and employs more than 1,500 workers.
He also noted that in recent years the company has expanded into standardizing and packaging high-quality Greek products such as honey, pomegranate juice, and olive oil.
The former prime minister also referred to international developments, noting that in a multipolar, unstable world, China could play an important stabilizing role.
At the same time, he noted that Greece and China share common concerns and interests, highlighting Beijing’s consistent support for Cyprus’s sovereignty and Greece’s longstanding position in favor of the “One China” principle.
Concluding his speech, Karamanlis expressed hope that the Chinese ambassador’s visit to Thrace would mark the beginning of a new period of cooperation between the two countries, centered on investment, exports, and development.
May 15, 2026, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
