SOFIA — China is willing to actively support the construction of transportation arteries in Macedonia and surrounding areas so as to promote the development of regional interconnectivity and trade, Premier Li Keqiang said in Sofia on July 7.

Premier Li made the remarks at a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart, Zoran Zaev, in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

The Premier arrived in Bulgaria on July 5 for an official visit to the European country, and attended the seventh leaders’ meeting of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) on July 7.

China is willing to maintain exchanges with Macedonia at all levels and deepen cooperation in various fields, Premier Li said.

Macedonia enjoys a unique geographical advantage, and transportation infrastructure is one of the important areas for the two countries to carry out pragmatic cooperation, Premier Li added.

China and Macedonia are both developing countries, Premier Li said, adding that China is willing to provide assistance to its best capabilities and support more Chinese companies to join the construction of Macedonia’s projects.

The Premier added that China welcomes more high quality agricultural products from Macedonia to enter the Chinese market.

Zaev said the relationship between Macedonia and China has seen fine development.

Macedonia firmly supports the one-China policy, and is willing to further enhance high-level contacts, promote pragmatic cooperation, especially in such areas as highways, infrastructure, energy, electricity and culture, and actively participate in 16+1 cooperation, Zaev said.