PM Gruevski at Economic Forum Poland-Central Europe-China in Warsaw

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski delivered an address Thursday at the Economic Forum Poland-Central Europe-China in Warsaw.

The event, organized by Poland's PM Donald Tusk in honor of the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Warsaw, brought together the Heads of Government and senior officials from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania.

The initiative for boosting the economic, political cooperation with China is more than welcomed by countries of Central and East Europe, Gruevski said at the forum.

"It reminds us that the political, economic cooperation is in favor of all parties both in times of prosperity and challenges. At the moment the impressive economic development of China is not only the driving power of the global growth, but also a shining example of a development model, based on sound foundations," Gruevski said.

Europe and China are sharing many values and it should be the base for introducing policies that will focus on providing prosperity for citizens and contribute to bolstering the mutual relations in line with the principles of justice and international law in favor of the global progress, Gruevski said.

China, he said, has been constantly supporting the region, as demonstrated by the ten-fold increase of the volume of bilateral trade for the last decade. The investments of Chinese companies in Central, East Europe has been growing, as they consider for the region to be one of the key gateways to the European markets.

Speaking about excellent Macedonian-Chinese relations, Gruevski said the two countries "have been committed to promoting investments in the infrastructure, agriculture, education and tourism."

Growing Chinese economy fully supports the economic development and prosperity of Central and East Europe, Gruevski said, expressing belief that the future economic cooperation will be mutually fruitful.