Greece in close cooperation with China during coronavirus pandemic: official

Greece is in constant contact with China, cooperating closely to address the common challenge of the new coronavirus pandemic, Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis told Xinhua here on Tuesday.

"Greece has developed very close cooperation with China during this entire period. I also had the opportunity to attend an event at Eleftherios Venizelos airport, when we welcomed the first delivery of medical supplies from China in the presence of almost half of the cabinet and the ambassador of the People's Republic of China (Zhang Qiyue)," the Greek official said during an online press briefing.

On March 21, nearly 18 tons of medical supplies provided by the Chinese government, enterprises and organizations to Greece arrived at Athens international airport on an Air China flight. It was the first major load of critical medical supplies reaching Greece after the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

"We are in constant contact. We have issued a few decisions regarding the extension of the stay of Chinese nationals who had been stranded in our country during the coronavirus (lockdown). We would like to continue to have this strategic partnership, this strategic cooperation with China in the future," Varvitsiotis stressed.

Greece was under full lockdown from March 23 as part of measures to control the virus' spread. Since May 4, the government has started gradually lifting a few of the restrictions.

Tuesday's press briefing was held on the occasion of the upcoming Greece's six-month chairmanship of the Council of Europe, which begins on May 15. Athens will also host the 130th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers on Nov. 4.