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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 11:35

We heard many affirmative answers for development of cooperation from Chinese PM - Kucinskis

BC, Riga, 07.11.2016.Print version
A "yes" or "no" of the Chinese prime minister means much in promoting further actions, and during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Latvia there were many affirmative answers regarding development of cooperation, said Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis (Greens/Farmers) in an interview with the Latvian public television on Monday,cites LETA.

The politician said that there might not be an immediate result from the forum in Riga, while it had been organized very well – many protocols of intent were signed, there were many negotiations, and the coming years will show whether the forum brings more positive results.

Speaking about the experimental train between China and Latvia, Kucinskis said that it has reached Latvia ten days ahead of the plan, but there is however still an open question about the reach to the Scandinavian market, which is China's interest. Speed today plays a more important role. Carrying of cargos by sea is cheaper, but it takes almost twice as much time than by train, the prime minister said.


The cargo transportation companies now should start looking for cargos to liven up this cargo line, said Kucinskis.


As the Chinese prime minister said after the 16+1 summit of the heads of states of China, Central Europe and Eastern Europe in Riga last week, there is a huge unused economic cooperation potential between the Central and Eastern European countries and China. Kucinskis said that during the forum Riga’s guidelines for further cooperation were adopted.

The Chinese prime minister underscored that China is interested in good quality goods from Central and Eastern Europe, especially agricultural products. China is also looking for markets for its own products and wants to develop cooperation in tourism.


More than 110 million Chinese residents travel to other countries every year, and the Chinese official voiced hopes that at least 10% of them in the coming years will choose to visit Central or Eastern Europe.


Kucinskis thanked the Central and Eastern European and China’s leaders for participation in the 16+1 forum.


In his words, work on inclusion of the Central and Eastern European transport infrastructure in the Silk Road transport network and development of the new infrastructure should be launched. Also, potential cooperation projects in development of industrial infrastructure, including in ports and special economic zones should be continued.


As reported, Saturday saw a successful conclusion of the annual meeting of Heads of Government of the Central and Eastern European countries and China in the 16+1 format.

Two documents were adopted at the meeting: the Riga Guidelines, which is a roadmap for events in the 16+1 format in 2017; and the Riga Declaration, which seeks to intensify cooperation in the development of ports, transport corridors and infrastructure connecting the Central and Eastern European countries with China.


The meeting also resulted in the inauguration of the 16+1 Investment Fund envisaged to finance joint projects with China. A round-table discussion was followed by a signing ceremony during which the Latvian Ministry of Transport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Development and Reform Commission of China on cooperation between industrial parks in ports.

 






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