In the morning of October 17 local time, Premier Li Keqiang met with President Andris Bērziņš of Latvia in Milan.

Li Keqiang conveyed President Xi Jinping’s sincere greetings to President Bērziņš. He said that since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship, China and Latvia have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, with solid political foundation and increasingly deepened mutual trust in the bilateral relations. I hope that the two sides make joint efforts to maintain the momentum of sound development of the bilateral relations, and expand exchanges and cooperation in such fields as high-speed railway, agricultural product processing, and people-to-people and cultural engagement, so as to promote the China-Latvia relationship for a higher level.

Li Keqiang said that Latvia will hold the European Union’s rotating presidency in the first half of next year. China is willing to join efforts with Latvia to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations. I hope that Latvia plays a greater role in promoting the development of China-EU relations as well as the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).

Bērziņš asked Li Keqiang to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping. He said that Latvia and China have conducted fruitful cooperation in such fields as economy, trade and culture. Latvia is willing to further enhance exchanges and cooperation with China, actively participate in the CEEC-China cooperation and the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and promote the connectivity between Europe and Asia, so as to push Europe-China relations for greater development.