Chinese premier meets Croatian parliament speaker

NANJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Croatian Parliament Speaker Josip Leko met in east China's Nanjing on Thursday.

Li told Leko, who is here to attend the closing ceremony of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games, that China views Croatia as a reliable friend and partner in the European Union and Europe.

China is ready to work with Croatia to enhance economic and trade cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure, transportation and equipment manufacturing, he said.

He called on the two sides to strengthen parliamentary exchanges and expand people-to-people communication so as to cement friendship and push forward their partnership.

Noting that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries is conducive to enriching China-Europe relations, Li said China hopes Croatia can play a bigger role in promoting China-Europe ties.

Leko said China always observes the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal, and that it has played an important role in international affairs.

Croatia is willing to cooperate more with China and develop their relations in a sustainable way, he added.

Croatia will promote development of China-Europe relations and cooperation, vowed the speaker.

The Nanjing Summer Youth Olympic Games started on Aug. 16 and concluded on Thursday evening.

The Youth Olympics was proposed by former International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

Singapore held the inaugural event in 2010.