Wen meets Central, Eastern European representatives

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with foreign representatives from Central and Eastern European countries in Beijing Thursday, to mark the establishment of a secretariat for cooperation between China and the countries.

Central and Eastern European countries that attended the meeting included Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The establishment of the secretariat and the opening of the first coordinator's meeting between China and the countries means the launch of a platform for cooperation, which will facilitate the implementation of 12 proposals put forward by China, Wen said.

Wen announced a series of projects to push forward cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe countries when he attended a summit in Warsaw in April. The establishment of a secretariat for cooperation between the countries was included in the plan.

Wen reaffirmed that China firmly supported the integration of Europe and appreciated their determination and effort to solve the European debt crisis.

"Strengthening cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries is an important component in enhancing China-Europe cooperation. It will help China and Europe make joint efforts to tackle challenges and promote their comprehensive, strategic partnership to a higher level," Wen said.

The foreign representatives said their countries and China enjoy a deep traditional friendship, sound political mutual trust and great opportunity for expanding cooperation.

The summit in Warsaw ushered in a new era in relations between Central and Eastern Europe and China while the establishment of the secretariat and the coordinator's meeting marked an important step of implementing the leaders' consensus, they said.

The representatives said their countries were willing to develop cooperation with China in such areas like economy, science, education, culture and tourism.