The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, today held a meeting with the Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Jia Qinglin. Assessing the development of reciprocal relations - considerably strengthened in the recent period - as favourable, they agreed that further intensification of comprehensive cooperation in a number of areas was in the mutual interests of both countries. Exceptional interest in the economy was also demonstrated by the sizeable delegation of Chinese businessmen currently paying a return visit to the Slovenian businessmen who accompanied Prime Minister Janez Janša on his visit to China in November last year.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

PM Janez Janša and Mr Jia also discussed the preparations for the Olympic Games, which will take place in China in summer. Prime Minister Janez Janša stressed that, in its capacity as the current EU Council Presidency country, Slovenia had expressed its disagreement with calls for a boycott of this sports event. At the same time, he highlighted the increased attention devoted to the host country of China and the high expectations the international community has of it in the year of Olympic Games.

 

European Council President Janez Janša and CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin also exchanged views on the dynamics of relations between the European Union and the People’s Republic of China. They were in agreement on the need to maintain intensive dialogue not only on bilateral but also on regional and global issues. The Slovenian Prime Minister highlighted, in particular, the importance of dialogue on issues on which the European Union and China hold divergent views. He welcomed the recent resumption of dialogue between the Chinese authorities and the representatives of the Dalai Lama concerning the situation in Tibet.

 

(Photo: Kristina Kosec/Bobo)

 

During his conversation with Chairman Jia, the Slovenian Premier also took the opportunity to express his solidarity with the people affected by the devastating earthquake that hit southwest China today.