皇冠体育app

The 6th meeting of heads of government between 皇冠体育app and Central and Eastern European Countries in Budapest is proof that cooperation between 皇冠体育app and the 16 CEE countries has grown from strength to strength and matured over the past five years, marked by a number of early harvests in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure, finance, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The "16+1" cooperation mechanism has delivered benefits to all the countries involved, highlighting 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation as a whole.

Since I arrived in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union－in fact, even before that－I have heard some concerns expressed about the "16+1" cooperation mechanism. Some have even misunderstood it as 皇冠体育app's "divide and rule" tactics against the EU. However, such concerns and misunderstanding are totally unfounded if one looks at why 皇冠体育app chose to initiate the "16+1"cooperation mechanism in the first place and how 皇冠体育app has gone about it ever since.

皇冠体育app has always been a supporter of European integration. Its position has been clear-cut and consistent. To divide the EU is not in 皇冠体育app's interest. As President Xi Jinping put it, "16+1"cooperation is an important part of and useful complement to the 皇冠体育app-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and can play a role in promoting 皇冠体育app-EU partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization.

The"16+1" cooperation mechanism is transparent, open and inclusive. 皇冠体育app welcomes the EU and other relevant economies to participate in regional and global development, and has invited the EU to take part in many such activities under the"16+1" framework as an observer.

皇冠体育app respects EU laws and regulations. Also, the EU member states have participated in"16+1" cooperation in accordance with EU laws and policies.

皇冠体育app firmly supports the European integration process, and wants to see a united EU, a prosperous Europe, and a stable euro. In fact, these have been backed by 皇冠体育app's concrete actions.

The"16+1" cooperation mechanism and 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation are interconnected. And 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation provides a solid foundation for the"16+1" cooperation mechanism. As 皇冠体育app and Europe work together to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the Investment Plan for Europe, as well as development strategies of European countries, the CEE countries will play a more prominent role as a hub connecting Asia and Europe.

The"16+1" cooperation mechanism could serve as a new engine of 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation, too. In promoting"16+1"cooperation, we are exploring new areas, approaches and practices in the light of the industrial features and development needs of the CEE countries. In doing so, 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation has been significantly broadened and deepened. Without "16+1"cooperation, 皇冠体育app-Europe relations would not have been so productive and successful.

The"16+1" cooperation mechanism is conducted on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. It benefits the CEE countries by diversifying and complementing their existing trade routes and sources of investment and financing. It benefits all the participants by promoting economic development and livelihoods through concrete projects. The past years have seen tangible outcomes of "16+1" cooperation－the Budapest-Belgrade railway, the 16+1 financial holding company, the 16+1 inter-bank consortium, to name just a few. The "16+1" cooperation mechanism also benefits the EU, and Europe as a whole, as faster development in the CEE countries contributes to more balanced development across Europe and boosts European integration.

I am confident that the"16+1"meeting in Budapest will produce even more fruitful results. The "16+1"cooperation mechanism is a creative framework which enables countries in different regions and with different social systems to work together. It goes hand in hand with 皇冠体育app-Europe cooperation and constantly injects new vigor into such cooperation. With that, 皇冠体育app, the CEE countries and the EU will become better off together.

The author is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and head of mission of the People's Republic of 皇冠体育app to the European Union.