Hu meets Slovak counterpart on bilateral ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Monday with President of Slovakia Ivan Gashparovic on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics to exchange views on bilateral relations.

Hu said bilateral ties have been going along quite well in recent years and the two countries have enhanced high-level exchanges, built mutual political trust, maintained practical and fruitful cooperation in diverse fields, and cemented coordination in international affairs.

Slovakia is considered a trustworthy friend and partner of China, Hu said. "Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Slovakia diplomatic relations. We're willing to work with Slovakia to promote bilateral friendly cooperation to a new height."

Gashparovic said his country thinks highly of China's influence in international affairs, and hopes to deepen cooperation with China to further promote bilateral relations.

The Slovak president was among more than 80 foreign leaders that attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 8. He said he has attended four Olympic Games but the one in Beijing is the best prepared and most successful.

Hu called Gashparovic an "old friend of the Chinese people" and spoke highly of his efforts to promote China-Slovakia friendship over the past years.

Gashparovic visited China in 1995 as Slovak parliament speaker.