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Hu pledges co-op in talks with Slovak parliament speaker

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-19 23:46

BRATISLAVA: Chinese President Hu Jintao met here with Slovak Parliament Speaker Pavol Paska on Friday, pledging to strengthen friendly cooperation with the Central and Eastern European country.

Hu said the two peoples have enjoyed traditional friendship, which has stood the test of the changing international situation since the two countries established diplomatic relations 60 years ago.

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Since the independence of Slovakia 16 years ago, the China-Slovakia relations have witnessed healthy development, said Hu.

The two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges of visits, enhanced political mutual trust, intensified economic and trade cooperation, expanded humanitarian exchanges and maintained good communication in international affairs, he said.

China is happy with the healthy development of bilateral relations, said President Hu.

China has always valued its relations with Slovakia, which China sees as an important partner in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the European Union (EU), said Hu.

He said China is ready to work with Slovakia, taking the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, to deepen cooperation of mutual benefit in various fields, properly tackle the global financial crisis to promote the friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that exchanges between legislatures are an important part of bilateral ties, Hu said the Slovak parliament and China's National People's Congress have maintained close cooperation and exchanges in the past years, making positive contributions to bilateral relations.

Cooperation between legislatures of the two countries not only contributes to exchanges of experience on legislation and governance, but also helps promote mutual understanding of the two peoples and therefore is conducive to cooperation in various fields.

China supports strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures, said Hu.

Paska extended warm welcome to Hu and congratulated China on the 60th anniversary of its founding.

He said bilateral relations have enjoyed sound development since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both countries share the same aspiration for friendly cooperation, as there are no outstanding problems left over by history between them, he said.

He expressed the hope that the two countries will strengthen economic and trade cooperation and join hands to tackle the global financial crisis.

Slovakia is willing to serve as a bridge between China and the EU, he said.

Paska said the two legislatures have maintained good cooperation. The Slovak parliament is ready to further enhance exchanges with China's National

People's Congress and contribute further to bilateral ties.

Paska said his country would stick to the one-China policy in whatever circumstances.

Hu is in Slovakia for a two-day state visit. He will fly to Croatia later on Friday.