“There is still a lot to be done until the concession of the shares in June,” said Shipping Minister Theodoros Dritsas arguing that there is a series of legal procedures to be concluded first.

Speaking to MEGAT TV channel, he stated that new mechanisms will be set up, such as Public Authority of Piraeus Port, which, as it is estimated, will create a new ‘public’ OLP.

“The sale of the port is made in order to satisfy the lenders, not for the sake of its development,” he added lashing out at Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF).

“It operates as a state within a state. It is a power parallel to the power elected by the Greek people. We must restrict HRADF’s unacceptable operation,” he said adding: “Does HRADF exploit or privatize public assets? HRADF is lenders’ creation, not government’s. ”

Mr. Dritsas also questioned HRADF president who said that with Cosco’s investment port’s competitiveness would be enhanced, stating that this would have happened either way. He also questioned president’s claims that thanks to the Chinese company 2,000 new jobs will be created, saying that the vast majority of the new jobs are subcontracting agreements.