Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa has said the cooperation between his country and China has been developing well and further expanding all-round bilateral cooperation is in the interests of both sides.
Jansa, who is scheduled to visit China from Nov. 8 to 11, told Xinhua in a recent written response that his visit is "an excellent opportunity not only to positively assess the past cooperation but also to set goals for further strengthening of bilateral ties."
He said a delegation of 50 successful companies and institutions from Slovenia will accompany his tour to Beijing in a bid to enhance economic ties.
The year 2007 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and China.
"We are pleased to have maintained high-level contacts and regular consultations ever since 1992. The two Parliaments have also been maintaining constructive and regular dialogue," Jansa said.
China is Slovenia's most important trading partner in Asia and the trade volume in goods and services exceeds 300 million euros (some 405 million U.S. dollars) annually and is still growing, he noted.
Slovenia and China have established good and growing cooperation in the fields of culture, science, technology, education and tourism.
A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during Jansa's official visit in order to boost links in the fields of culture, education, defense, investment, academic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
"We are opening the Slovenian Economic Representative Office in Shanghai which we expect to be instrumental in helping Slovenian companies further strengthen their presence in the Chinese market," said Jansa.
Starting on Jan. 1 next year, Slovenia is to take over the six-month EU presidency.
"The growing global political and economic role of China increases the need for a regular and enhanced strategic EU-China dialogue," said Jansa.
"It is very positive that the EU and China spare no effort to come closer to the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement that would comprehensively regulate the relations between the two."
Jansa believed the EU and China have every opportunity to further extend their cooperation in the areas of innovation, training and the use of the creative potential of human resources. The EU is also interested in the transfer of high technology, which would help ensure China's sustainable development.
The EU is the biggest buyer of Chinese products, and that China is the second trading partner of the EU. Last year, mutual trade volume reached a record of 254 billion euros, an increase of more than 20 percent year-on-year.
Jansa also reiterated that Slovenia has always respected the one-China policy, adding that other EU member states have a similar position on the issue.
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)
