On the evening of March 27, Premier Li Keqiang had a phone call with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia, who holds the current EU presidency.

Premier Li first expressed sympathies to Croatia over the COVID-19 outbreak. He noted that with united and whole-of-nation efforts, China has made major progress in containing the outbreak. The epidemic spreading worldwide has become a global challenge that affects all members of the global community. The international community must step up cooperation to respond collectively. China will do its best to support Croatia in fighting the outbreak and facilitate its purchase of medical supplies from China through commercial channels. China hopes Croatia will take strong measures to protect the safety and provide for the essential needs of Chinese citizens working and living in Croatia, including the engineers and technical staff working for the major projects.

Premier Li expressed support for the proposal by Croatia under its EU rotating presidency for a EU-China health ministers’ video-conference. China will work with Croatia and other EU member states to conduct closer cooperation at the international level and share experience on epidemic control and treatment.

Prime Minister Plenković commended China for its strenuous efforts against COVID-19. As the outbreak is spreading in Croatia, he expressed the hope for China’s support in purchasing supplies and equipment needed for epidemic control. With the cooperation projects between the two countries currently well under way, he said he was confident that more concrete outcomes will be achieved after the outbreak. Under its EU presidency, Croatia is committed to advancing the EU’s cooperation with China, and will convene the health ministers’ video-conference as soon as possible to facilitate experience-sharing and joint outbreak response.