On the afternoon of Nov. 25 local time, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council held talks with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta at the Prime Minister's Office in Romania.
Li Keqiang said that the China-Romania relationship has been developing smoothly and received wide support from the two peoples since the two countries established diplomatic ties, despite the profound changes in the international situation. The next year will usher in the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Romania comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership. We hope both sides take it as an opportunity to deepen traditional friendship, to find new cooperative fields, and to promote China-Romania relations to achieve new development.
Li Keqiang introduced the deployment of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee to comprehensive deepen reform. He said that China insists on giving priority to development and people's livelihood, and on using reform and opening-up as a driving force to promote sustainable and healthy development of economy and society. China's deepening reform and expanding opening-up will provide new opportunities for the development of China-Romania relations.
Li Keqiang pointed out that we need to advance in-depth bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. First, the two countries need to promote energy cooperation, which accords with the needs of both countries. Both sides should properly carry out the energy cooperative agreement signed this time, and help the Chinese companies make breakthroughs as early as possible during their participation in the construction of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant and other electric power projects. Second, the two sides should expand cooperation in the construction of railway and other infrastructure. Combine China's advantages in railway technology, cost, financing and other aspects with Romania's needs to upgrade and increase infrastructure, and advance the construction of Romania's railway and other transportation infrastructure to promote regional connectivity with European countries. Third, increase exports of agricultural and animal products from Romania to China. China is willing to increase imports of beef, mutton and other quality farm products from Romania, and strengthen long-term cooperation.
The two governments should support companies on both sides to make substantial progress in mutual investment and project cooperation, in accordance with the market rules and business principles. The two sides also need to boost people-to-people and cultural exchanges and consolidate the social foundation of bilateral relations, so as to help pass on the China-Romania friendship from generation to generation.
Li Keqiang said that not only China and CEE countries enjoy profound traditional friendship, but also their economic development is highly complementary. Romania is a big country in Central and Eastern Europe, and an active participant and facilitator of China-CEE cooperation. I am willing to work with Prime Minister Victor Ponta to promote the China-CEEC Summit to be held tomorrow to achieve new fruits. Romania is a member of the EU. China always views China-EU relations from a strategic height, firmly supports the European integration construction. We would like to see a unified, prosperous and developed Europe and a strong euro, which is conducive to world multipolarization and civilization diversity. China is willing to work with Romania to promote China-CEE cooperation and China-EU relations to make greater progress.
Victor Ponta said that China is Romania's special partner and friend, and Li Keqiang's friendly and pragmatic visit to Romania is of historic significance and will certainly push the bilateral relationship forward into a new phase. Romania is willing to beef up cooperation with China in economy, trade, electric power, railway, animal husbandry and other fields, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, support each other in international and regional affairs. CEE-China cooperation is conducive to the development of CEE countries, and Romania will do its best in hosting the CEEC-China Summit. Romania is willing to serve as China's gateway to Europe, and play an active role in promoting CEE-China cooperation and the development of EU-China relationship.
During their talks, the two prime ministers immediately decided to set up working groups to promote negotiations on bilateral cooperation in high-speed rail, energy and other major projects.
After their talks, the two prime ministers jointly witnessed the signing of a series of bilateral cooperative documents covering economy, trade, investment, quarantine, culture, energy and other areas, and issued China-Romania Joint Statement.