Main purpose of the Meeting was to discuss concrete potential of the 12 measures for support of friendly cooperation of China and countries of Central and Eastern Europe presented by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao at the meeting with Prime Ministers of 16 European countries in Warsaw in April. During the conference the Chinese side presented proposed concrete steps for implementation of these measures, on the other hand national coordinators spoke about their country´s point of view on this initiative, potential bilateral projects, investment conditions and deepening of ties in culture, education, tourism promotion etc. Participants were also received by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The Chinese Prime Minister called for implementation of the 12-measure initiative and for intensifying cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Mr. Daniel Koštoval, Director General of Non-European Countries Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented the Czech Republic in his capacity of the national coordinator. The Czech Republic perceives the Chinese initiative as a strategic opportunity to deepen our mutual relations. For the Czech Republic, as well as for the other countries of region, the People’s Republic of China is important strategic partner with long friendly relations. Mr. Koštoval, mentioned in his address to the conference that there is a potential in fields of trade and investment, cooperation in technologies, power generation, education, research and development and last but not least in shared emphasis on innovations.

The conference in Beijing provided also a welcomed opportunity to discuss concrete prospects for deepening of relations between our two countries. Mr. Koštoval met his counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in a friendly discussion both sides agreed that the existing potential for cooperation in economic, investment, tourism and other areas is far from being fully utilised. Both countries showed an interest in strenghtening of relations in the future.

In his statement on the occassion of the conference in Beijing, H. E. Mr. Minister Karel Schwarzenberg remarked: ”It is always good, when we are talking with our Chinese partners directly and thus we are able to clarify our ideas to improve our good cooperation even more. We attach importance to concrete steps and results. For them, we are ready.”  Read full text of the statement od Czech MFA.