Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on Slovenia yesterday to boost
relations between China and the EU when it assumed the EU
presidency.
Wen made the call when he met in Helsinki, Finland with his
Slovenian counterpart Janez Jansa on the sidelines of the
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, according to Chinese diplomats
who attended the meeting.
Slovenia will take the EU presidency during the first half of
2008, making it the first of the new member states that joined the
EU in May 2004 to head the 25-member bloc.
Wen said the Chinese side hoped that Slovenia would play an
active role in deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership
between China and the EU.
On relations between China and Slovenia, he said the two sides
had enhanced political trust since they set up diplomatic ties 14
years ago, and they had expanded cooperation in trade, cultural
exchanges and education.
China was willing to join hands with Slovenia to deepen
cooperation in various fields, said Wen.
Jansa said the Slovenian side welcomes the enhancement of
cooperation between China and Slovenia, as well as between China
and the EU at large.
He pledged that his country would make more efforts to boost
relations, according to Chinese diplomats.
Jansa also extended appreciation to Wen for the constructive
role China had played in resolving issues surrounding the Balkan
region within the framework of the UN.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)
