Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini in Beijing on Wednesday, during the latter's state visit to China.
Li Qiang stated that the friendship between China and Slovakia has endured for a long time and has been steadily strengthening. According to him, China is prepared to work with Slovakia to continue their traditionally friendly relations, enhance mutual strategic trust, and respect the core interests and fundamental concerns of both sides.
According to the Chinese premier, both countries should expand all-round, mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly promote their development and prosperity.
China is also prepared to make better use of mechanisms with Slovakia, such as the intergovernmental cooperation committee, to promote high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and create new opportunities in promising areas, including artificial intelligence.
Li Qiang added that the goal should be to achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and outcomes advantageous to both sides. He noted that China supports its capable enterprises in investing in Slovakia.
He also expressed hope that Slovakia would continue to provide Chinese companies with an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment.
According to Li Qiang, China and Europe are two major economies with a strong inherent interest in cooperation. The foundation of their relations is above all mutual benefit and cooperation advantageous to both sides.
The Chinese premier therefore called on Slovakia to actively support a more positive and rational direction in the European Union's policy toward China.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated that Slovakia attaches great importance to its relations with China and is committed to supporting their long-term and stable development.
According to him, the Slovak side is prepared to strengthen contacts with China at all levels and expand cooperation in the areas of investment, science and technology, transport and logistics, artificial intelligence, and other sectors.
Pellegrini also called for deeper people-to-people and cultural contacts, particularly in education and youth cooperation, so that the development of relations brings tangible benefits to the citizens of both countries.
He noted that Slovakia looks forward to further investment by Chinese enterprises and is prepared to create favorable conditions for their operations.
At the same time, Slovakia wishes to continue its active engagement in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and the China–Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation mechanism.
Pellegrini added that Slovakia is prepared to play an active role in promoting constructive dialogue and open, practical cooperation between Europe and China. He noted that such cooperation is in the interest of both sides and the world as a whole.
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