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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Strengthening strategic partnership between Serbia, China

Belgrade/Sofia, 6 July 2018

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today in Sofia to discuss further improvement of the cooperation and strategic partnership of the two countries.

Brnabic and Keqiang met on the eve of tomorrow's Summit of China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which is a confirmation of the interest of both countries to strengthen and further deepen cooperation in all areas.

The delegation led by Prime Minister Brnabic comprises Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic and Minister of Mining and Energy Aleksandar Antic.

The officials assessed that the political relations of the two countries are remarkable and characterised by a comprehensive strategic partnership, mutual trust and support.

Brnabic stressed that participation in the Chinese global initiative "Belt and Road” is particularly important for Serbia, which is an integral part of the cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, noting that Serbia will continue the continuity of the friendship policy.

The two countries' prime ministers discussed the cooperation in the field of energy and infrastructure, as well as road and rail infrastructure projects implemented with Chinese assistance.

Brnabic stressed that Serbia is particularly proud of the trilateral project of modernization of the Belgrade-Budapest railway, which is jointly implemented by Serbia, Hungary and China, and which is the first cross-border project under this mechanism of cooperation.

The Prime Minister stressed that she personally sent a Letter of Interest for access to Serbia to the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

She pointed out that Serbia needs strategic partners in the economy, and that they would like RTB Bor and Ikarbus to get strategic partners like "He Steel", that saved 5,000 jobs at the Zelezara Smederevo and improved and modernised business.

In addition to energy, infrastructure and economy, Serbia and China are strengthening cooperation in many other areas, and for Serbia, cooperation in the field of culture is especially important.

Brnabic pointed out that opening a Chinese cultural centre in Belgrade is a very important project and that Serbia wants to open a cultural centre in Beijing soon.

The Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Premier for the unambiguous support of that country on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija, especially within the United Nations and other international organisations.

Keqiang stressed that this support is constant and unquestionable and that friendship between China and Serbia is steel-like.

The summit of China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe will be held tomorrow in Sofia, with the main topics being to deepen the cooperation of the 16 + 1 countries for sustainable progress.

A Memorandum of Understanding on joint formulation is expected to be signed between China and Serbia within the "Belt and Road" initiative, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on joint support for the construction of the Fruit and Vegetable Park and the Commercial Agreement on modernization and reconstruction of the Hungarian-Serbian rail link.

On the margins of the China-CEEC Summit, bilateral meetings of Prime Minister Brnabic with First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vasily Matushevsky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov are planned.