Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama on the sideline of seventh leaders' meeting of China and 16 CEE countries in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, July 6, 2018. ( Photo: CCTV)

Visiting Chinese Premier met his counterparts from Estonia and Albania on the sidelines of the seventh leaders' meeting of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia on Friday.

Premier Li told his Estonian counterpart Juri Ratas that China welcomes Estonia's participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative and the building of China-Europe freight train. The two countries have made achievements in cooperation regarding energy, innovation, e-commerce, and should deepen cooperation in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, Li said.

He also congratulated Estonia on its 100th anniversary of independence.

Ratas echoed Li's remarks, saying his country is looking forward to more cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and that he hopes China could open market to more Estonian agricultural products.

Li also met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Albania diplomatic ties. Li said the two countries should deepen mutual political trust and push for deeper cooperation.  

Li hailed bilateral cooperation achievements in such areas as agriculture, water resources, disaster prevention and youth exchange programs. China will encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Albania, he added.