At a summit of the leaders of China and East-Central Europe in the Latvian capital Riga on Saturday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that cooperation between China and East-Central Europe is in the best interests of the whole of Europe.
At the press conference which brought the event to a close, the Prime Minister said that everyone knows that the EU is struggling with the problem of economic stagnation, and therefore that “isolating ourselves would be the worst response”.
There must be openness, he pointed out, saying that “clearly it is beneficial for us to open up towards China, the world’s most successful economy”.
Mr. Orbán stressed that Hungary is committed to European cooperation with China, and will therefore be a good host for next year’s meeting, doing everything in its power to make the summit in Hungary at least as successful as the current meeting in Latvia. “Budapest welcomes you all”, the Prime Minister said in closing.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that with this meeting they are sending the message to the world that regional stability, trade liberalisation and the promotion of investment are important, because this is the only way to strengthen global trade. Cooperation arrangements of this kind contribute to the growth of the global economy, he stated, and this 16+1 cooperation between China and East-Central Europe contributes not only to peace and stability in East-Central Europe, but also to the development of the region.
The Chinese Premier said that his country has a vested interest in a peaceful international environment, as this also promotes its own development; therefore Europe’s support is important for China, as is a growing, peaceful and prosperous Europe. China and East-Central Europe have a great deal to offer one another, he stated.
Mr. Li congratulated Mr. Orbán on his country being given the opportunity to host next year’s summit, which he hoped would be similarly successful.
Maris Kucinskis, Prime Minister of the host country Latvia, pointed out that the 16+1 formation has developed a great deal in recent years. As a result of the joint efforts, he said, there is now in place a clear framework for cooperation which has permitted trouble-free joint action. The partners involved have also already achieved practical results, he added.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó had earlier told Hungarian journalists that next year Hungary will host the summit of Chinese and East-Central European leaders.
(MTI)
