Bulgaria’s prime minister greeted heads of government and leaders from 16 central and eastern European countries.
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with the heads-of-government of 16 Central and Eastern Europe countries in Bulgaria.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasised that free trade is essential for global stability.
Although the U.S. trade war with China wasn’t initially on the agenda, it was an unavoidable topic for the host country and its Chinese visitor.
It was an important day for all who had gathered in Sofia, with a number of deals being signed by Chinese and European leaders.
The Chinese Premier responded to claims that China and the EU are on a collision course.
“The truth is that there is no fundamental conflict of strategic interests between China and Europe. China stands for multilateralism, a united and prosperous Europe, a stable pole in the international landscape. We believe the world would enjoy continued peace.”
The issue was addressed by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov as host of this year’s 16+1 meeting.
“It is not by accident that after this meeting Premier Li Keqiang will go to Berlin to meet Chancellor Merkel. Whatever we did here is very open and transparent. So I can say the following to critics: All the rules of the European Union will fully comply with this format 16+1.”
Leaders of 16 Central and Eastern European countries together with Premier Li Keqiang repeatedly stressed the 16+1 format is not aimed at anyone specifically, and its primary goal is actually to increase the quality of life and the GDP of those nations.
A number of agreements were signed at the meeting.
Among them the start of construction of a 150-kilometer high-speed rail link in Serbia to the border with Hungary funded by China.
Premier Li also announced that China will import up to 10 million tons of tobacco from Bulgaria.
Croatia will host the next 16+1 meeting.
