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Bulgarian, Chinese Premiers Hold Talks
Bulgaria, China Seek Stronger Business Ties
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Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov met Wednesday with visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, and they exchanged views and reached broad consensus on further advancing bilateral ties in the new century.
Zhu arrived here Tuesday on an official visit to Bulgaria, the first leg of his tour of six European nations and the headquarters of the European Union.
Kostov said the fact that Zhu chose Bulgaria as the first stop of his Europe tour represents an affirmation of Bulgaria's role in the region. The Bulgarian government appreciates and highly evaluates this, he added.
Sofia attaches great importance to China's positive role in global affairs and admires the immense achievements China has made in its reforms and opening up to the outside world, Kostov said.
Although Bulgaria sees its integration into Europe as the priority of its foreign policy, it also attaches great importance to the development of relations with Asia-Pacific countries, especially China, he said.
All political forces in Bulgaria share the same view on developing ties with China, which concerns the Bulgaria's long-term national interests, the premier said.
Kostov reiterated Sofia's long-standing one-China policy and vowed not to establish any official contacts with Taiwan.
Zhu, on his part, expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral ties over recent years.
He noted that Bulgaria was the second country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after its birth in 1949 and that the exchanges between the two peoples date back to ancient times.
China appreciates the importance attached by the Bulgarian government to developing ties with China and the efforts made in this regard, Zhu said. He also thanked the Bulgarian government for its long-standing one-China policy.
Zhu said Bulgaria is an important country in southeast Europe and has played an active role in promoting friendly relations with neighboring countries and in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.
China understands and respects Bulgaria's policy of participating in the process of European integration, and appreciates its policy of developing cooperation with all countries in the world, including China, added Zhu.
The Chinese premier said China regards Bulgaria as a trustworthy and important partner in Europe and it is willing to see a greater role played by Bulgaria in promoting peace and stability in the Balkans and Europe.
Zhu and Kostov briefed each other on the recent developments in their countries and exchanged views on promoting economic cooperation. Kostov said he hopes that the two sides will increase their cooperation and he welcomes more Chinese businessmen to invest in his country.
Zhu said Bulgaria is a traditional trading partner of China, but in recent years the volume of bilateral trade has not been large and their economic and technological cooperation is still at an initial stage of development. The two countries should explore new ideas, new methods and new channels to expand their economic and trade cooperation.
The Chinese premier stressed China's readiness to join hands with Bulgaria in actively promoting the lasting, stable and comprehensive development of friendly bilateral relations in the 21st century.
He also called for joint efforts in tapping potential in mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, seeking common grounds while reserving differences and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
Zhu also urged the strengthening of Sino-Bulgarian cooperation in international affairs so as to safeguard common interests.
Kostov expressed agreement to Zhu's views, saying he was fully confident of the further and comprehensive development of Bulgarian-China relations.
After the meeting, the two sides signed five documents on bilateral cooperation in culture, education, health, environment, communications, and labor and social affairs.
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