Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on Slovenia yesterday to boost relations between China and the EU when it assumed the EU presidency.

 

Wen made the call when he met in Helsinki, Finland with his Slovenian counterpart Janez Jansa on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, according to Chinese diplomats who attended the meeting.

 

Slovenia will take the EU presidency during the first half of 2008, making it the first of the new member states that joined the EU in May 2004 to head the 25-member bloc.

 

Wen said the Chinese side hoped that Slovenia would play an active role in deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU.

 

On relations between China and Slovenia, he said the two sides had enhanced political trust since they set up diplomatic ties 14 years ago, and they had expanded cooperation in trade, cultural exchanges and education.

 

China was willing to join hands with Slovenia to deepen cooperation in various fields, said Wen.

 

Jansa said the Slovenian side welcomes the enhancement of cooperation between China and Slovenia, as well as between China and the EU at large.

 

He pledged that his country would make more efforts to boost relations, according to Chinese diplomats.

 

Jansa also extended appreciation to Wen for the constructive role China had played in resolving issues surrounding the Balkan region within the framework of the UN.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)