Greece-China Bilateral Aviation Agreement Ratified by Greek Parliament

The Greek parliament recently ratified the bilateral aviation agreement between Greece and China, which was signed last year in Beijing by Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras and his Chinese counterpart.

According to Staikouras, the agreement enhances the developmental potential of the Greek economy and strengthens the country’s international presence as a member of the European Union.

“The agreement will provide a supportive framework for enhancing both passenger and cargo flights between the two nations. It aims to elevate the role and opportunities available to Greek airlines, as well as to various business and financial entities operating in the air transport, commercial, and tourism sectors.”

Additionally, the Greek-Chinese agreement will modernize the institutional and operational framework for bilateral relations in the air transport sector. It will encompass contemporary technologies, economic standards, and regulations based on European Union legislation, including the Horizontal Aviation Agreement signed in 2019 between the EU and China, with China agreeing to comply with all EU decrees.

“The agreement will also enhance flight safety processes and security standards, as well as the airworthiness of aircraft, in accordance with international and EU regulations,” Staikouras added.

During the parliamentary session, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Vassilis Economou remarked that the new bilateral agreement, which replaces the previous one in effect since 1973, “positions Greece as a strategic partner of China, paving the way for benefits across numerous sectors”.