In the afternoon of July 2, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang met respectively at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Romania and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski of Macedonia, who are visiting China for the Local Leaders' Meeting between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries.

When meeting with Ponta, Li Keqiang said that China and Romania share a profound traditional friendship and both sides have always offered mutual respect, understanding and support to each other. Both sides should continuously enhance political mutual trust and promote practical cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, new energy and culture for more outcomes so as to benefit both peoples with more bonus of cooperation.

When meeting with Gruevski, Li Keqiang said that China places importance on developing relations with Macedonia and supports Macedonia for its efforts to join in European integration process. China is willing to further promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of infrastructure construction and agriculture as well as the joint development of the third-party market to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

Li Keqiang as well briefed the guests on China's economic situation which of their interest. He said that to promote development is the common task for all countries. China is now taking various measures to expand domestic demand and maintains stable economic growth, and at the same time makes great efforts to upgrade the economy and deepen reforms. It will enhance the competitiveness of businesses and improve the quality and efficiency of economic growth, and will also create new market demand and ensure the continued growth. There have been favourable conditions and foundation for China's economy to achieve the development targets of this year as well as a sustainable and sound growth in the future. In this process, China will always adhere to expanding opening up, deepening cooperation with other countries and exploring more space for development with each other.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China-CEE cooperation is an important part of China-Europe relations. It meets the needs of both sides and serves the common interests. China is willing to share development opportunities with the CEE countries, especially to realize breakthroughs in large projects, and to upgrade the scale and level of bilateral cooperation so as to push for comprehensive, balanced development of the overall China-Europe relations and cooperation.

Ponta said that China's development will benefit the world. Romania and China should deepen cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade and culture and promote bilateral relations for continuous new development. Romania is willing to work for the promotion of both CEE- China and EU-China relations.

Gruevski noted that Macedonia-China relationship is now at a high level. The two countries should expand bilateral relations and promote practical cooperation in economy, trade and other fields to achieve common development.