Bosnia’s Council of Ministers Chairman Denis Zvizdic spoke, Saturday, in Sofia, on the margins of the '16+1' Summit with the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on the improvement of economic cooperation. Zvizdic said Bosnia is extremely interested in the continuation of further improvement and strengthening of ties with China.

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the ‘16+1’ initiative is developing and strengthening and stressed Bosnia’s commitment to continuing the cooperation within this mechanism.  

Zvizdic noted that a large number of significant agreements has been signed so far, like the Visa Abolition Agreement which opened new possibilities for the linking of entrepreneurs and for triggering new investments, especially in the field of energy and infrastructure, as well as tourism. He added that Bosnia is interested in strengthening cooperation in the field of agriculture, which will be aided by the agreement signed Saturday in Sofia.

Keqiang expressed his satisfaction with the encouraging results of the previous cooperation between China and Bosnia. He noted that Chinese companies are already present in Bosnia with various projects and expressed willingness of the Chinese side to improve cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure.

He emphasized the interest of China for a better cooperation in the field of agriculture, and expressed hope that the Veterinary Center of the ‘16+1’ mechanism in Bosnia will soon be established in order to facilitate the export of agricultural products to China.    

Keqiang said there are plans to open a direct flight between Beijing and Sarajevo, which would improve the traffic of people and goods and significantly improve the exchange of tourists.

The meeting was attended by Bosnia’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mirko Sarovic, Bosnia’s Transport and Communications minister Ismir Jusko, and the Ambassador of Bosnia to Bulgaria, Radomir Bogdanovic.

 The ‘16+1’ initiative is part of China's One Belt, One Road mega project, a sort of modern-day Silk Road considered to be one of the most ambitious projects in the world.