Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga vowed in Helsinki, Finland yesterday to boost bilateral relations.

 

The two leaders made the pledge at a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, according to Chinese diplomats who attended the two leaders' meeting.

 

Wen said this year marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Latvia, and China would take this opportunity to map a long-term blueprint on promoting the bilateral relations.

 

Both sides should enhance mutual political trust, deepen economic cooperation and expand people-to-people exchanges, Wen said.

 

Vike-Freiberga said China treated small countries like Latvia as equal partners, demonstrating the essence of multilateralism.

 

China was among the first to recognize Latvia when it announced independence, and both sides have conducted fruitful dialogue, the president added.

 

Vike-Freiberga hoped that both sides could continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields and coordination in international affairs.

 

Wen arrived in Helsinki Saturday for the two-day ASEM summit, which marks the ASEM's 10th anniversary and has gathered heads of state or government from 13 Asian countries and the 25 member states of the EU, including the Latvian president.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)