China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang held talks with his Slovak counterpart, Peter Pellegrini, on Monday, pledging joint efforts to boost comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
"Slovakia is an important partner to China in the European Union and in the Central and Eastern European region," Zhang said during talks at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.
Recalling the smooth development of bilateral ties in past years, Zhang said China attaches great importance to its relationship with Slovakia and will work together with the Slovak side to advance relations in a healthy way.
Zhang said Slovakia is an important country along the Silk Road Economic Belt, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to build the Belt has brought new opportunities for practical cooperation between the two countries.
Zhang said he hopes the two countries will align their development strategies and boost cooperation.
Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, called for more friendly interactions between the two legislatures to strengthen political mutual trust between the two nations.
He also suggested the legislatures work together to contribute more to economic cooperation, people-to-people and local government-level exchanges, and coordination in international affairs.
"(The two legislatures) should strengthen communication and coordination in international and multilateral events to safeguard common interests and instill positive energy in the push for peace, cooperation and development in the world," said the Chinese legislator.
Pellegrini, Slovakia's Parliament Speaker, said he admires China for its great development and appreciates China's important role in regional and international affairs.
The Slovak side is willing to boost friendly relations between the governments and legislatures as well as strengthen practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.
Slovakia will adhere to its one-China policy as always, Pellegrini added.
