Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has met with his counterparts from Estonia and Albania, and also the Bulgarian president on the sidelines of the leaders' meeting of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. The meeting is taking place in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. Christy Scull has more.

Premier Li told his Estonian counterpart Juri Ratas that China welcomes Estonia's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a China-Europe freight train. The two countries have made achievements in cooperation regarding energy, e-commerce and deepening cooperation in cultural and people-to-people exchanges. He also congratulated Estonia on its 100th anniversary of independence. Ratas echoed Li's remarks, saying his country is looking for more cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Li also met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Albania diplomatic ties. Li hailed bilateral cooperation achievements in agriculture, water resources and youth exchange programs. He said China will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Albania.

China and Bulgaria are keeping close contact at all levels. Premier Li said this when he met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. He said there has been fruitful cooperation in such key areas as trade and agriculture as well as more frequent people-to-people exchanges. He added that the relationship has become an example for country-to-country ties. For his part, Radev said Bulgaria is willing to make new progress in developing their comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership. Christy Scull, CGTN.