Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday pledged to initiate joint efforts between China and Greece to push for new achievements in practical cooperation marked by port projects in Piraeus.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Alexis Tsipras, on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Brussels.

Li called Greece a reliable friend and partner of China.  He said China has attached great importance to its relations with Greece.

He said the Chinese side is happy to witness the end of Greece's bailout program and that the country has opened a new chapter in socio-economic development.

China is ready to join efforts with Greece to intensify high-level exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and achieve win-win results, to lift their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, he said.

The Chinese side is willing to work with Greece to implement the cooperation agreement on the construction of the Belt and Road, Li said.

China will encourage its enterprises to invest and develop in Greece, increase imports competitive agro-products as well as deepen financial cooperation with the country based on the principles of commercialization and sustainability, Li pledged.

As countries with ancient civilizations, China and Greece should continue to enhance dialogue between different cultures, blaze the trail for the diversified development of human civilization, and create a lasting impetus for mutual understanding and common development between the two countries, Li said.

Tsipras said the dialogue and cooperation between Greece and China are far-reaching, as both are countries with ancient civilizations that have made significant contributions to oriental and western civilizations.

China has stood together with Greece in times of difficulty, he said, adding that his country is now striving to advance socio-economic development, which produces vast room for Greece and China to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Greek side believes that the port projects in Piraeus will drive Greece-China cooperation in logistics and connectivity. Greece is ready to take this opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in economy, trade, and investment, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, to achieve shared prosperity, he said.

(Cover: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang shakes hands with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Brussels, October 19, 2018. /Photo via Gov.cn)