In a sign that Greece is willing to make some compromises as it tries to seal a deal for emergency funding from its creditors, the country’s defence minister said the government was in detailed discussion with China about the port.

Cosco already manages two container piers at the port and is keen to get hold of a majority stake.

Greece unblocked the sale of a 51% stake (after prime minister Alexis Tsipras earlier blocked the sale of a 67% stake) and has invited Cosco and two other investors to submit bids by September.

Speaking at a conference in Athens on Friday, defence minister Panos Kammenos said: “We are in very advanced talks to expand this co-operation very soon in relation with the inclusion of a railway network as well.”

bbabo.Net