Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with visiting Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev on Monday, pledging to further enhance trade cooperation between the two countries.

"China will take measures to expand imports from Bulgaria and hopes Bulgaria will actively explore China's market," said Premier Wen.
   
Wen said China will foment two-way investment and strive for cooperation between the two countries’ the middle and small-sized enterprises.
   
As Bulgaria prepares to join the European Union (EU) on Jan. 1, 2007, China hopes Bulgaria will become a force in advancing China-EU relations.
   
The situations in the western Balkan region concerns peace and stability in southeast Europe and Europe at large, said Wen.
   
China insists that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all western Balkan countries should be respected, and equal rights should be guaranteed for all nationalities, said Wen, adding that differences should be solved peacefully through dialogue.
   
Stanishev, arriving in China on Sunday, promised to work with China to increase mutual investment and create joint ventures to push forward bilateral trade cooperation.
   
Stanishev appreciated the importance role China has played in regional and international affairs, saying Bulgaria will make joint efforts with China to promote peace and stability in the region.
   
Bulgaria is willing to act as a bridge via which Chinese businesses could enter Europe, said Stanishev, vowing to contribute to China-EU relations. Stanishev reiterated Bulgaria's adherence to one-China policy.
   
Premier Wen and Stanishev signed a joint statement after their talks.
   
Also on Monday, Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong met with Stanishev, saying China is ready to work with Bulgaria to keep high-level exchanges, and expand pragmatic cooperation to a new height.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)