China-CEE leaders' meeting, economic forum 'undeniable success'

China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) leaders' meeting and the economic forum represent an undeniable success for Romania, said Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Wednesday.[Special coverage]

"It is an undeniable success for even the most carping of our opponents. I think it is a true historical moment and Romania, after many years, is back on the world map," said Ponta at the beginning of the government meeting.

Ponta claims that the worldwide focus on the meeting in Bucharest and Romania "is a good thing" in the context of Chinese Premier's visit to Bucharest.

"We are only learning from the older EU countries that have great relationships, strategic partnerships with China and extraordinary trade relationship, and I do not know why we should not do the same," he said, adding that "it's a sign of great shortsightedness to think that if one has good relations with other non-EU countries it means that they are against the Union."

"We are following the road that Germany, France, Italy and other countries have been following for many years," he said, stressing that "it is obvious for any rational people."

For three days, Bucharest became the focus of attention of the international community and the media, as China-CEE leaders' meeting was held here, as well as the third China-CEE Economic and Trade Forum. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also paid an official visit to Romania as a guest of Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta.