The President of the National Assembly, Mihail Mikov, has received a Chinese parliamentary delegation led by the vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Du Qinglin. The Chinese parliamentarians are on a two-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the vice president of the National Assembly, Maya Manolova.

The president of the National Assembly noted at the meeting that the visit is taking place at the eve of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, one more sign that the relations between Bulgaria and China are stable, have history and future. Mihail Mikov underscored the good cooperation with China has never been subject to political controversy, it has always enjoyed consensus not only in the parliament but in the society as well.

The vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Du Qinglin, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Bulgaria – a country renowned for its long history and wonderful nature. Between us exist tradition of  friendly relations, we won’t forget that Bulgaria was the second state that established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, he stressed. In his words the bilateral contacts are successful and stable; the development of economic cooperation is dynamic. He expressed satisfaction that the two parliaments maintain constant interaction and the Friendship groups play an important role in enhancing the friendly relations. We welcome Bulgarian enterprises and companies to develop their business in China, declared Du Qinglin.

The president of the National Assembly, Mihail Mikov, noted that Bulgaria is an active participant in the dialogue between China and the European Union and is ready to help the development of these relations in both economic and political terms.

The Chinese parliamentary delegation was greeted in the plenary hall. Later on the delegation had meeting with the vice president of the National Assembly, Maya Manolova, on whose invitation the visit takes place. The meeting was attended by the chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and head of the Friendship group Bulgaria-China, Yanaki Stoilov, as well as by other deputies, members of the friendship group.

Maya Manolova noted that China is Bulgaria’s by far most important partner in Asia. Bulgaria considers the initiative for cooperation between China and Central and East Europe /China + 16/ as an additional opportunity to enlarging its bilateral relations in the economic, trade, investment, culture, education and science fields. She added, she expects the wish of Bulgaria to host the next meeting of leaders of China+16 to be approved at the forthcoming summit in Bucharest, in the month of November.

The Chinese leader explained that Chinese companies could take part in the modernization of river and sea ports of Bulgaria and also in the infrastructure, agriculture and industrial cooperation fields.
Yanaki Stoilov declared that Bulgaria appreciates highly the opportunities provided by the 12 measures for cooperation proposed by China to the countries of Central and East Europe. In his view part of the funds of the USD 10 M credit line provided by China to the countries could go towards joint projects with Bulgarian partners.

The Chinese parliamentarians are scheduled to visit Plovdiv on 23 October 2013 and to meet with the city’s mayor Ivan Totev and with the head of the Municipal Council Ilko Nikolov. The delegation is to visit the economic zone “Trakiya” in the village of Striama.