Premier Li meets CEEC leaders, eyeing closer ties under BRI

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Europe

01:43

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for closer bilateral ties between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), particularly in the fields of infrastructure and agriculture.

He made the proposal on Thursday while meeting with prime ministers from countries like Bulgaria, Serbia, and Slovenia, in Croatia, where the eighth leaders' meeting of China and CEEC is being held.

Czech Republic

During his meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Premier Li called on the two countries to create a just and fair environment for their respective enterprises doing business in each other's country.

The Chinese premier said that China supports competent Chinese enterprises to participate in infrastructure construction projects in the Czech Republic in compliance with rules and standards of the European Union.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis shake hands in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

China is willing to work with the country to explore new cooperation patterns, make joint efforts to improve the trade balance, and promote practical cooperation in the industrial field and nuclear energy, among others, he said.

On his behalf, Babis said his country welcomes more Chinese investment.

He also called on the two sides to further cooperate in areas including energy and transportation infrastructure construction and to enhance cultural and tourism cooperation as well as people-to-people exchanges.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic.

Slovakia

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia.

While meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, Li said China is willing to enhance political mutual trust and promote healthy development of bilateral ties.

Markets of China and Slovakia are highly complementary to each other, Li said, adding that China will always keep the door of its market open and welcomes Slovakia's export of high-quality agricultural specialties.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) is greeted by Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

China is willing to better align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the development strategy of Slovakia and deepen cooperation in the fields of digital economy, transportation and logistics, Li said.

China supports its companies in participating in Slovenia's infrastructure construction, said Li, adding that the two sides should ensure them a fair and non-discriminatory competition environment.

Echoing Premier Li's proposal about providing Chinese companies with equal treatment, Pellegrini said his country is willing to open its market to Chinese companies.

Slovakia is ready to take the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further enhance bilateral ties, expand cooperation in all levels, and increase communication and coordination with China in multilateral areas, noted Pellegrini.

Albania

In his talks with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday, Premier Li said that China welcomes Albania to expand its export of specialty agricultural products, such as honey, olive oil, and wine, to China.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

He also noted that China and Albania should enhance communication to reach an agreement on mutual exemption of visas between the two countries, facilitate youth exchanges and consolidate public support for the development of bilateral relations.

Rama hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries and called for a grand celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties.

Albania actively supports cooperation projects with China and hopes to expand export of its specialty agricultural products to China, said Rama, adding that he expects that China can provide convenience for talented Albanian people to China.

Bulgaria

While meeting with Boyko Borissov, prime minister of Bulgaria, the country which is also to celebrate its 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with China, Li said China is willing to take this opportunity to hold a series of celebration activities, enhance bilateral cooperation in areas including infrastructure construction and agricultural technologies.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

China encourages more competent Chinese enterprises to participate in infrastructure projects in Bulgaria, and welcomes more exports of Bulgaria's high-quality agricultural products to China, he said.

The Chinese premier also said that the Sofia China Cultural Center will start operation this year, which will help further consolidate public support for stronger bilateral relations.

Li also spoke highly of the Global Partnership Center of CEECs and China, which is located in Bulgaria and to be inaugurated at this year's China-CEEC meeting.

He said the center will provide strong intelligent support for China-CEEC cooperation.

Borissov said Li's visit to Bulgaria in July last year has promoted new progress in bilateral relations, and the two sides have produced fruitful results in areas including agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure construction.

Bulgaria is willing to join China in further deepening connectivity for more practical outcomes, he said.

Slovenia

In a conversation with Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Sarec, Premier Li said that China is willing to better align the BRI with the development strategy of Slovenia.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Sarec in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

China is willing to further deepen cooperation in such areas as innovation, technology, and small and medium-sized enterprises, the premier said.

For his part, Sarec said Slovenia and China are important partners and have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, adding that bilateral ties and cooperation in various areas have seen smooth development.

Slovenia is an active participant in the Belt and Road construction and China-CEEC cooperation, and is willing to expand cooperation with China in trade, investment, technology, and pharmacy so as to promote new progress in bilateral relations, Sarec said.

Serbia

China supports its enterprises to invest in Serbia and participate in Serbia's infrastructure construction in accordance with market rules and business principles, Premier Li told Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on Thursday.

China is ready to continue cooperating with the Serbian side in trade and economy and infrastructure construction, said Li.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, April 11, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Li added that he hoped Serbia can play an active role in promoting Chinese exports to Europe.

Brnabic said the major cooperation projects including the Serbian section of the Budapest-Belgrade Railway are progressing smoothly, which is conducive to bilateral ties.

She welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest in Serbia and expressed the hope to join China in further enhancing bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, mineral resources, energy, automobile, finance, culture, and tourism to take bilateral relations to a new level.

(With inputs from Xinhua)