The upcoming visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao will further enhance cooperation between Greece and China, Dimitris Sioufas, president of the Hellenic Parliament said.

"The level of our bilateral relations is very high. Cooperation between our two countries is constructive in every field and has been constantly upgrading in the last few years," Sioufas told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"We look forward to the upcoming visit of President Hu Jintao," he said. "It is a great honor for us to welcome President Hu in the Hellenic Parliament next week."

He said the dynamic of the relations between the two countries in recent years has enhanced bilateral political, economic and cultural ties.

Sioufas said delegations of the legislative bodies of the two countries have exchanged views on issues regarding bilateral relations, international affairs and matters of common concern.

"The friendly relations between our peoples, intergovernmental cooperation in various fields and the common understanding shared by our two countries on international affairs form the basis to expand, even further, the scope of our bilateral cooperation," said Sioufas.

He said that China and Greece represent two great civilizations that had a great influence in the philosophic thinking of the East and the West.

China and Greece will act as a bridge to link the Eastern and Western civilizations, he added.

"I believe this will be very important for the two countries and other countries. I am confident that our successful cooperation will continue to benefit both our two countries and our peoples," Sioufas said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2008)