Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has said the cooperation
between his country and China has been developing well and further
expanding all-round bilateral cooperation is in the interests of
both sides.
Jansa, who is scheduled to visit China from Nov. 8 to 11, told
Xinhua in a recent written response that his visit is "an excellent
opportunity not only to positively assess the past cooperation but
also to set goals for further strengthening of bilateral ties."
He said a delegation of 50 successful companies and institutions
from Slovenia will accompany his tour to Beijing in a bid to
enhance economic ties.
The year 2007 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Slovenia and China.
"We are pleased to have maintained high-level contacts and
regular consultations ever since 1992. The two Parliaments have
also been maintaining constructive and regular dialogue," Jansa
said.
China is Slovenia's most important trading partner in Asia and
the trade volume in goods and services exceeds 300 million euros
(some 405 million U.S. dollars) annually and is still growing, he
noted.
Slovenia and China have established good and growing cooperation
in the fields of culture, science, technology, education and
tourism.
A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed
during Jansa's official visit in order to boost links in the fields
of culture, education, defense, investment, academic cooperation
and people-to-people exchanges.
"We are opening the Slovenian Economic Representative Office in
Shanghai which we expect to be instrumental in helping Slovenian
companies further strengthen their presence in the Chinese market,"
said Jansa.
Starting on Jan. 1 next year, Slovenia is to take over the
six-month EU presidency.
"The growing global political and economic role of China
increases the need for a regular and enhanced strategic EU-China
dialogue," said Jansa.
"It is very positive that the EU and China spare no effort to
come closer to the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement that would comprehensively regulate the relations between
the two."
Jansa believed the EU and China have every opportunity to
further extend their cooperation in the areas of innovation,
training and the use of the creative potential of human resources.
The EU is also interested in the transfer of high technology, which
would help ensure China's sustainable development.
The EU is the biggest buyer of Chinese products, and that China
is the second trading partner of the EU. Last year, mutual trade
volume reached a record of 254 billion euros, an increase of more
than 20 percent year-on-year.
Jansa also reiterated that Slovenia has always respected the
one-China policy, adding that other EU member states have a similar
position on the issue.
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)
