Athens: Civilizations should build bridges and pursue dialogue rather than seek confrontation, former Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "Real civilizations are created to cooperate and to be in dialogue," Pavlopoulos remarked, emphasizing humanity's responsibility to foster communication instead of fueling division.According to Namibia Press Agency, Pavlopoulos, who served as Greece's president from 2015 to 2020, witnessed the deepening of Greece-China relations during his tenure. High-level exchanges between the two countries intensified, and cultural and economic cooperation expanded significantly. Reflecting on over 50 years of diplomatic ties, Pavlopoulos noted that Greece and China's enduring relationship is rooted in shared civilizational values that have withstood the test of time and shifting global circumstances.Despite differences in size and geography, Greece and China share a profound common ground as heirs to great civilizations. "At the center of ou r civilizations is the human being -- humanism, solidarity, peace, justice and, especially, social justice," Pavlopoulos stated. These cultural foundations, dating back centuries, have provided the basis for cooperation across various fields.Pavlopoulos argued that these shared values have helped Greece and China maintain and expand ties in a mutually beneficial way. Addressing the intensifying strategic rivalry among major countries, he insisted that Europe should lead in promoting dialogue among civilizations. He rejected the notion of separating East and West, advocating for the recognition of differences.On cultural exchanges between China and the European Union (EU), Pavlopoulos emphasized that dialogue, rather than confrontation, is the only viable philosophical approach to mutual understanding. "There is no clash of civilizations," he asserted. "It is people who create conditions of conflict when they should be opening bridges for dialogue."Pavlopoulos advocated for constructing "bridges of civil ization" as a response to those who speak of a clash of civilizations, suggesting that even economic relations could be framed within such a philosophy. He noted that China's policies of reform, opening-up, and the Belt and Road Initiative reflect this spirit of connectivity.Expressing hope for the enduring Greece-China friendship, Pavlopoulos believes it will ultimately benefit all of humanity. Looking to the future of China-EU relations, he expressed confidence in the younger generation, stating, "The future belongs to the young. What will help them most is to understand the essence of our civilization -- our common world civilization."