On June 19, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Slovak Parliament Speaker Pavol Paska in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia.

Hu said the two peoples have enjoyed profound traditional friendship, which has stood the test of the changing international situation since the two countries established diplomatic relations 60 years ago. 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 cultural and personal exchanges and kept good communication in international affairs, he said. China is satisfied with the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations, said President Hu.

China has always valued its relations with Slovakia, which China regard 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 and 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 building up mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promoting 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 between 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 and 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.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the meeting.