The Slovakian prime minister, Mikulá? Dzurinda, met Premier Wen
Jiabao in Bratislava on Wednesday and they agreed to deepen
cooperation between their two countries.
Wen said China hopes to strengthen political, economic and
cultural cooperation with Slovakia and that the momentum of
high-level contacts should be maintained for dialogue and
consultation on international and regional issues of common
concern.
Dzurinda said the Slovak government is happy with its political
and economic relations with China, whose rapid economic growth has
created opportunities for Slovak enterprises. He added that
Slovakia, in the heart of Europe, is well placed for investment by
Chinese companies.
Wen proposed to expand contacts in fields such as culture,
education and tourism in an attempt to boost mutual understanding
and friendship, noting that relations have progressed since
Slovakia and the Czech Republic split in 1993.
Economic and trade cooperation has borne fruit as bilateral
trade increased eightfold in the past 12 years, said Wen, and there
is no fundamental conflict of interests between them.
Dzurinda said Slovakia looks forward to further strengthening
political, economic and cultural relations and enhancing
consultations in international affairs with China, adding that his
government would stick to a "one-China" policy.
The two leaders also exchanged views on China-Europe relations,
UN reforms and other international and regional issues.
Wen arrived in the Slovakian capital yesterday afternoon for a
24-hour visit after his trip to France. He is scheduled to travel
on to the Czech Republic, Portugal and Malaysia.
(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2005)
