Kostas Karamanlis defends Greece-China strategic partnership

Former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis defended the strategic partnership between Greece and China during a speech at Tsinghua University's Greek-Chinese Forum. He highlighted the 2006 strategic partnership and the investment by COSCO in the Port of Piraeus as successful moves that positioned Greece as a primary gateway for China into Europe and the Mediterranean.

Karamanlis noted that while the COSCO agreement initially caused skepticism among international partners, the lack of interest from other global actors at the time made the decision necessary. He emphasized that the current international interest in developing competitive port facilities in the region serves as proof of the success of that strategy. He also pointed to the synergy between the Greek shipping industry and the Chinese economy as a cornerstone of their bilateral relations.

Addressing broader geopolitics, Karamanlis argued for a multidimensional foreign policy to adapt to an emerging multipolar world. Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, he characterized the Russian invasion as “unjust and illegal” but also suggested that the West bears some responsibility due to efforts to integrate Ukraine into the Western camp. He further contrasted the West's response to various regional issues, mentioning the geopolitical dynamics involving Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.