16 + 1 Initiative: Greece signs on as new member at latest meeting

World
Europe

02:45

Greece has signed on as a new member of the 16+1 mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European countries. This comes as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wrapped up a meeting with his counterparts from those countries in Croatia. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic reports.

A historic moment for the 16+1 framework.

First family photo with new member of the group, Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, here in the middle of the picture, on the left from Croatian host Andrej Plenkovic.

A honor given to the newcomer.

Just minutes before, Prime Minister Tsipras was introduced into the conference room where remaining 17 heads of government were finishing the plenary session. Tsipras was given opportunity to address the meeting for the first time.

ALEXIS TSIPRAS PRIME MINISTER OF GREECE "I look forward to working with all of you in this framework, of this initiative. In full respect of the rules and procedures of the European Union to promote economic co-development through this very effective platform of cooperation with China."

Relations with the European Union were also a focus at the plenary session.

Premier Li Keqiang also touched the topic, in the light of his talks in Brussels before arriving to Croatia.

LI KEQIANG CHINESE PREMIER "We have made it clear that we'll take fair and non - discriminatory approach, to treat each-others' companies. With openness and transparency, we will work together for collaboration and we will rely on market principles to advance mutually beneficial projects and cooperation."

Meantime, host Andrej Plenkovic praised the achievements of this year's meeting, but also expressed satisfaction with deals that Croatia reached with China.

ANDREJ PLENKOVIC CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER "We are very happy that Croatia has signed in total about 10 agreements and a number of agreements in the private sector too. We are especially looking forward to continuation of collaboration in the area of infrastructure construction. I particularly think about the ports and railways infrastructures."

During the summit, dozens of agreements were signed ranging from agricultural exports to China, infrastructure construction projects, and cultural cooperation between the 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe with China.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC DUBROVNIK, CROATIA "Besides the biggest news of this year's meeting, Greece's joining the 16+1 format, is the decision that next year China will host 9th summit. It will be the first with Greece as full participant and second time that China hosts the meeting. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Dubrovnik."