Premier Wen calls on Slovenia to boost China-EU ties (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-09-11 19:27 HELSINKI -- Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao on Monday called on Slovenia to boost relations between China and the
European Union (EU) when it assumed the EU presidency.
Wen made the call when he met here 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 which 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 welcomed 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 United Nations.
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