site.btaBulgarian PM, Four Ministers Discuss Ways to Advance Cooperation with Chinese Counterparts

Bulgarian PM, Four Ministers Discuss Ways to Advance Cooperation with Chinese Counterparts

Beijing/Sofia, November 26 (BTA) - "China is Bulgaria's principal partner in Asia, and we believe that there is a wide range of possibilities to broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation," Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at a a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Thursday.

Borissov is visiting China together with several ministers from November 22 to 27.

The Bulgarian head of government said that China ranks among Bulgaria's top export markets in both Asia and globally. "Our priorities include increasing Chinese investments in Bulgaria, boosting Bulgarian exports to China and tourist exchange," Borissov said. He urged the Chinese authorities to expedite export procedures for Bulgarian agricultural and food products to China. The Prime Minister suggested seeking mutually beneficial models for the successful implementation of key infrastructure projects. Bulgaria invited Chinese companies with an eye on EU markets to set up representative offices, operational facilities and centres in Bulgaria.

Borissov gave high marks to the organization and the results of the 4th Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries in Suzhou. "I would like to congratulate you on your visionary attitude towards countries in our part of Europe and the Balkans. For decades the Balkan peninsula had been a breeding ground for tensions and conflict, and for the most part it is lagging far behind the rest of Europe. Through the 16+1 initiative and your personal attitude, many of these inequalities may be eliminated and the countries will get equal opportunities," the guest told Li.

The PM highlighted the EU-China strategic partnership. He hailed China's decision to become the first country outside the EU to contribute to the Juncker Plan and expressed a desire to discuss possible joint projects under the plan. Borissov supported the initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping for the construction of a new Silk Road, urging for synergy with the 16+1 initiative and the EU-China Connectivity Platform.

Borissov stressed Bulgaria's interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in culture, education, science and technology. The Prime Minister said that in view of Bulgaria's EU Presidency in 2018, Bulgaria is preparing a wide range of cultural events in some Member States and a number of world capitals including Beijing.

Borissov invited Li to visit Bulgaria.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov conferred with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Mitov's Ministry said in a press release on Thursday, recalling that a month ago they had a meeting during Wang's official visit to Sofia. Once again, the talks focused on new highlights in bilateral cooperation in tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and cultural exchange.

The two chief diplomats stressed the importance of developing and deepening bilateral trade and economic contacts, including in the context of EU-China strategic cooperation. Mitov reiterated his country's readiness to be actively involved in the development of the transport corridors along the New Silk Road within the context of the One Belt, One Road initiative. Wang said that Bulgaria is an important country in building this cooperation and called it "the EU's gateway to Asia".

"We support and actively participate in the cooperation initiative between China and the CEE countries. This is an important platform for widening bilateral contacts in all spheres, as well as an effective addition to the EU-China relations," Mitov said.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the idea of a permanent working mechanism between their countries in key spheres of mutual interest.

In Beijing, Mitov and Chinese Education Minister Yuan Guiren signed an agreement on exchange in the sphere of education.

Also on Thursday, Bulgaria's Transport, IT and Communications Minister Ivaylo Moskovski and Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova, and Chinese Transport Minister Yang Chuantang agreed on the establishment of a joint programme for infrastructural projects, Moskovski's Ministry said in a press release. The three ministers conferred together with the directors in charge of international activity, planning and motorways at the Chinese Ministry of Transport.

Yang said that the 4th Meeting of Heads of Government of China and CEE Countries in the 16+1 format and the One Belt, One Road initiative are an exceptional opportunity to develop relations between Eastern Europe and the People's Republic of China.

The Bulgarian side presented three projects: the railway line linking Rousse (on the Danube) and Varna (on the Black Sea) and intermodal transport along that route, development of BDZ Freight Services, and regular flights between Sofia and Beijing or another Chinese city.

Later in the day, Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Minister Dessislava Taneva and Sun Dawei, China's Vice Minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, signed a Memorandum on Strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary Cooperation. Under the document, Bulgaria and China pledge to facilitate and broaden trade in agricultural products by observing and guaranteeing the control on the prevention of the entry and the spread of quarantine pests and diseases, Taneva's Ministry said in a press release.

The Memorandum will help increase trade in agrifood products between Bulgaria and China by facilitating bilateral communication regarding the procedures for improving the food trade protocols. The document entered into force upon signature for a term of five years, after which it will be automatically extended for another five years.

Conferring with Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu, Taneva said that Bulgaria will provide China's agricultural products a doorway to the CEE countries. The two ministers discussed the increase of bilateral trade in recent years. "We should take advantage of the Centre for Promotion of Cooperation in Agriculture between China and CEE countries," Han said, noting that he has plans for the Centre's future development.

BTA special correspondent Genka Ivanova contributed to this story.