In the afternoon of December 16 local time, Premier Li Keqiang met with Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia in Belgrade.

Li Keqiang said that with the joint efforts of both China and Slovakia, the bilateral relations have opened up a new chapter. China is willing to, together with Slovakia, respect each other's core concerns and promote the bilateral relations for a higher level on the basis of mutual respect, quality, mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese government supports its enterprises taking an active part in the nuclear power, hydropower, highway and other projects as well as the construction of industrial parks in Slovakia. It is hoped that the Slovak government could provide a level playing field and necessary support to the Chinese enterprises engaged in the above projects and strive for substantial progress at an early date. China appreciates the active role played by Slovakia in the cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) and is willing to work with Slovakia to ensure the second seminar on technological innovation cooperation and international technology transfer between China and the CEEC a success, so as to advance bilateral cooperation in relevant fields.

Robert Fico expressed that Slovakia, enjoying a profound traditional friendship with China, is willing to join efforts with China to translate the sound bilateral relations into tangible cooperation results, ensure the second seminar on technological innovation cooperation and international technology transfer between the CEEC and China a success, make good use of the CEEC-China Investment Cooperation Fund, and enhance cooperation in such areas as nuclear power, hydropower, highway, tourism and people-to-people and cultural engagement. Slovakia welcomes Chinese enterprises to increase investment and Chinese financial institutions to set up offices in the country, and will provide convenience for this.