China willing to strengthen cooperation with Lithuania, Slovakia: premier

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L to R) attend a joint press conference after the Fifth Meeting of Heads of Government of Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) and China in Riga, Latvia, Nov. 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday held conversations respectively with Lithuanian and Slovakian prime ministers, calling for joint efforts to promote bilateral cooperation and relations.

Li made the remarks on the sidelines of the fifth summit of China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries (16+1).

Talking to Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, Li said China appreciates Lithuania' s positive attitude on developing relations with China.

China stands ready to strengthen its practical cooperation with Lithuania, so as to realize mutual benefit and win-win results and bring more benefits to the two peoples, said the premier.

Hailing the important role of the "16+1" mechanism, Butkevicius said Lithuania is greatly satisfied with the development of its ties with China.

Lithuania expects to further expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation with China and is willing to play an active role in promoting the "16+1" cooperation for more achievements, said the prime minister.

During his conversation with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Li said the two sides should respect each other' s core interest and major concerns, meet each other half way and promote the development of bilateral ties in a healthy and stable manner.

For his part, Fico said his government attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties, reaffirming its fixed adherence to the one-China policy.

Slovakia stands ready to make joint efforts with China to enhance the development of bilateral ties along the right direction with a healthy manner, said Fico.

Li arrived here Friday for an official visit and the China-CEEC summit, marking the first time for a Chinese premier to visit Latvia since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.