Greek Foreign Minister Is Expert on BRICS, China, and Russia Relations

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias is a real expert on the BRICS, especially the question of Greece’s need to expand relations with China and Russia

Prior to being named Foreign Minister, Kotzias was a professor at the University of Piraeus, where he was instrumental in developing programs on China, the Chinese-language courses, as well as courses on Russia and the BRICS

In a Sept. 23, 2014 interview to the website “China and Greece”, then a professor of international relations, he said he teaches the course “Society and Foreign Policy of China,” because

“China, the fastest-growing economy in the world, is the most important one…. Moreover, Chinese civilization has almost a brotherly likeness with the Greek one. Greece has invented democracy, and China has invented the organized state. The people of both countries have important traditions as well as common elements in their ancient civilizations and the philosophical and ethical questions they had asked to themselves approximately 2,500-3,000 years ago.”

He went on to say that the university had established a research center where the BRICS is a branch, with the main focus on China and Russia. Additionally, as of September 2015, they will have a new postgraduate program on the BRICS, principally China and Russia. They will organize several workshops in the BRICS during 2015. A conference on Greek relations with the BRICS will take place on May 7.

Asked “How do you see China’s role in the world?” Kotzias replied:

“The role of China in the world is crucial. China is a great economic and cultural power, which seeks to achieve its harmonious development. It is important to mention that although China had controlled culturally inferior states, it never created colonies in the Western way. China is the country which had the highest productivity in the world for 16 centuries until the middle of the 17th century. In a few decades it can possibly reach again the first position. Moreover, China understands the requirements of the multipolar world, it pays attention to respective balances, avoids to interfere in other countries, and respects all players of the international system. This is certainly positive irrespective of different views scholars might have on internal developments China and its domestic divergences and harmony.”

He added later in the interview, “Greece can become the bridge between China and the EU.”

The full interview is available here.

On Jan. 26, China officially congratulated Syriza on its election victory, in which China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in part:

“The Chinese side expresses its congratulations. China and Greece enjoy long-standing friendship, with the two peoples closely attached to each other. The Chinese side highly values relations with Greece and hopes to work together with the new Greek government to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various areas and keep advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of China and Greece. China consistently supports the process of European integration, and is happy to see a European Union that showcases solidarity and strength.”