A visit to the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum and a working meeting with Deputy Minister Sofia Vultepsi included the first trip to Greece by the Deputy Minister of Public Security and Immigration of the People’s Republic of China, Su Ganlu, who was accompanied by Ambassador Xiao Junzheng and a delegation of high-ranking officials.

The two deputy ministers referred to the historical, close economic, business and cultural ties of the two countries, underlined the value of the exchange of information and good practices and laid the foundations for an even closer and meaningful cooperation in the fields of protection and security.

Particular emphasis was also placed on the need to directly link the protection and integration of refugees with the prevention of marginalization, radicalization and delinquency.

Ms. Voultepsi informed her Chinese counterpart about Greece’s strategy regarding the parallel protection of borders and people, while for his part, Mr. Ganlou presented the responsibilities of his newly established ministry in all their scope.

The two ministers came to the common recognition that the economic life and well-being of peoples are based on social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and security for all.

As Mr. Ganlou characteristically noted, “security is like air and water. When you have them, you take them for granted. When you lose them, you understand their value.” With Mrs. Vultepsi adding that “nothing is self-evident”.

The Greek delegation was also attended by the General Secretaries of Migration Policy and Vulnerable Citizens, etc. Patroklos Georgiadis and Iraklis Moskof, who informed their Chinese colleagues about matters of their competence, but also of common interest.