NPC Chairman Holds Talks with Slovak Prime MinisterLi Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, held talks with Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda Tuesday.In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Li and Dzurinda exchanged views on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern. Li said he visited Slovakia 15 years ago and the revisit has aroused his intimate feelings. Dzurinda said Slovakia attaches importance to expanding relations with China and thanks China for taking the lead in extending diplomatic recognition to Slovakia several years ago. He said the two countries have maintained good relations of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties, expressing his belief that Li's current visit will surely promote such relations. He said at present economic cooperation and trade between the two countries lag behind their good political relations. He expressed the hope that Slovakia and China will further their cooperation in electricity generating equipment. In response, Li said there exists profound and traditional friendship between the Chinese and Slovak peoples. China is satisfied with the continuous growth of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. He said China respects the Slovak people's choice in development road and gave prompt diplomatic recognition to Slovakia after its independence. China respects and understands Slovakia's policies of good-neighborliness and application for entry into the European Union. China is willing to further expand Sino-Slovak relations on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, Li added. He pointed out that China sets great store by expanding economic cooperation and trade with Slovakia, which have great potential for development. He said he will tell relevant Chinese government departments to take into consideration the areas of cooperation suggested by the Slovak side. He stressed the importance of expanding commodity trade, adding that enterprises of the two countries can have direct contacts and discuss business rather than through entrepot trade. At the request of Dzurinda, Li also briefed him on China's relations with Russia and the United States, and China's views on the situation of the Korean Peninsula. |
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