Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday met with heads of government from seven Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, vowing to develop relations and boost cooperation.
Li met with heads of government from Latvia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Romania, Montenegro, Czech Republic, and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively on the sidelines of the seventh leaders' meeting of China and 16 CEE countries in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.
China, Latvia to boost scientific cooperation
Li and his Latvian counterpart Maris Kucinskis agreed to enhance cooperation in scientific and technological innovation.
The Chinese premier said Beijing is willing to work with Latvia to tap their respective advantages, is glad to see Latvia play an important role as a logistical hub in the Baltic region and is ready to work with it to develop economic and trade ties as well as interconnectivity.
Kucinskis said Latvia is China's reliable friend and is willing to work with China to continue enhancing cooperation in scientific and technological innovation as well as in research and development.
China, Slovenia to enhance pragmatic cooperation
Li and Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar agreed to enhance pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the 16+1 cooperation mechanism.
The Chinese premier said that China-Slovenia friendship and cooperation has seen rapid and steady development, and welcomed Slovenia to participate in the first China International Import Expo, which is due to take place later this year in Shanghai.
Cerar lauded the traditional bilateral friendship, saying that pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has been constantly enhanced under the framework of the 16+1 cooperation and Belt and Road Initiative.
