Good political and friendly relations between the People's Republic of China and Macedonia should be intensified by dynamised cooperation in several spheres aimed at development of economic ties as strategic determination of the two countries, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Chinese colleague Li Keqiang at today's meeting.
This is the first meeting with the new Chinese Prime Minister at which we have reaffirmed our previous positions. Macedonia and China have excellent political relations, without open issues. We urge to strengthen economic ties, China is a huge country with great potential and its companies are more and more present in Europe, Gruevski said after the meeting.
Macedonia is interested in realisation of several infrastructural projects important for the country and in context to China's intention to allocate US$10 billion as support to projects for strengthening the economic cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries.
We have also reaffirmed our request Macedonia to get its share in China's project for partnership in Easter Europe for which they have allocated US$10 billion to Central and Eastern European countries, which are under preferential conditions for large infrastructural projects, Gruevski said.
Gruevski informed his colleague that Macedonia is ranked as an example of top reformer with good conditions for doing business by the WB's Doing Business edition five years in a row. He also referred to the lowest tax package which is offered by Macedonia, tax alleviation in free economic zones and market access to 650 million customers.
Gruevski initiated a meeting of joint Macedonian - Chinese Commission of Economic-Trade Cooperation which was welcomed by PM Keqiang as a good opportunity for boosting the cooperation.
He also underlined the sphere of culture greeting the China's announcement for sooner opening Confucius Institute in Macedonia which operates in promotion of the Chinese language and culture. Gruevski pointed out the possibility of strengthening educational potentials through exchange of students with China and an option for Chinese students to study at the Macedonian universities for which the Government awards scholarships.
PM Keqiang agreed that good and friendly political relations with Macedonia are strong foundation to focus on additional development of the economic ties. China highly appreciates the road of reforms, progress and development which is chosen as key determination by the Republic of Macedonia. He underlined that the China is prepared to intensify the trade and economic exchange and hopes that Macedonia will properly use the funds offered by China in support to realisation of the projects in Central and Eastern European countries.
PM Keqiang gave political support to opportunities and options for Chinese investments in our country, pointing out that he will personally urge and encourage Chinese companies to review investment opportunities and to direct their activities towards larger economic cooperation with Macedonia.
