Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Greek counterpart Evangelos Meimarakis met in Athens on Monday for further enhancing the friendly cooperation between the two armed forces.

Cao, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and state councilor, said that the political relations and exchanges in various areas between the two countries have kept a good momentum of progress since the two countries established diplomatic relationship 35 years ago.

He said the two countries set up the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2006, which marks the relations between the two countries has entered into a new stage.

The exchange of visits of the high-level officials between the two armed forces is increased and the current defense ties between the two countries are expanded.

"China is willing to make joint efforts to strengthen cooperative relations in various fields between the two armed forces on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit," said Cao.

Meimarakis said that the Greek government attaches great importance to the Greek-China relationship and is satisfied with the results achieved by the two countries in the past 35 years.

He said the comprehensive strategic partnership has pointed out the way forward for the bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Cao arrived here Tuesday for a three-day visit.

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2007)