President of the Republic of Slovenia receives Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

Ljubljana, 10.5.2008  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today received the Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Jia Quinglin, the first stop on the latter’s official visit to Slovenia. Dr Türk and Mr Jia discussed the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, which are open and friendly and characterised by comprehensive political dialogue. The two statesmen agreed that the development of cooperation in economic, scientific and other areas was also well under way, and judged that this high-level visit would help further enhance mutual dialogue and friendly relations in general.

The Slovenian President emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership between the European Union and the People’s Republic of China, one of the most important such partnerships for the European Union. Alongside economic cooperation, particularly in the area of trade relations, cooperation in the area of human rights and concern for the protection of the environment is also of importance. The Slovenian President, Danilo Türk, pointed out the particular importance of cooperation between the European Union and the People’s Republic of China in UN negotiations on limiting global warming. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairperson, Jia Quinglin, made a favourable assessment of the development of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Slovenia, which, despite the geographic distance, are developing very well on the basis of mutual respect. He noted that China was very interested in strengthening the strategic partnership with the European Union and that he appreciated Slovenia’s contribution to enhancing this partnership.

During the talks, the Slovenian President also touched on the issue of Tibet and stressed the importance of contacts at the present time between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama, offering his assessment that dialogue offered a way to the realisation of human rights and provision of an appropriate degree of autonomy for Tibet. Mr Jia Quinglin informed the Slovenian President of developments in contacts on Tibet.

Dr Türk and Mr Jia agreed that perseverance and a long-term vision should be brought to bear on the development of Slovenian-Chinese cooperation. The CPPCC Chairperson, Jia Quinglin, conveyed the greetings of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Hu Jintao, to the Slovenian President, Danilo Türk, and invited him to visit China in the near future. The Slovenian President accepted the invitation with pleasure.