Full Text of The Riga Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (2)

(5)The Participants welcome Latvia in establishing the China-CEEC Secretariat on Logistics Cooperation in Riga, as well as creating the Virtual Information Platform www.ceec-china-logistics.org, and support the Secretariat in playing a leading role in coordinating and facilitating the cooperation in the field of logistics.

(6)The Participants support deepening cooperation in scheduled air transport and general aviation, between China and CEECs and appreciate the launch of direct flights between Shanghai, Chengdu and Prague, as well as between Beijing and Warsaw. The Participants welcome airline companies of both sides in opening new routes and flights between China and CEECs. The possibility of holding a CEEC-China Civil Aviation Forum in the Czech Republic will be discussed.

(7)The Participants welcome the modernization of Bar-Belgrade track section and further development of high-speed railway network under the framework of 16+1 Cooperation, with a view to improving the connection of Port of Bar to the modern railway network in Central and Eastern Europe.

(8)The 2nd China-CEEC Transport Ministers' Meeting will be held in CEEC, in 2017.

(9)China, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia will organize the 3rd working group meeting in Serbia 2017 under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Facilitating Customs Clearance among the Chinese, Hungarian, Serbian and Macedonian Customs. The Participants commend Poland for participating in the third phase of the China-EU Smart and Secure Trade Lanes Pilot Project. More eligible CEECs are encouraged to take part in the SSTL pilot project and other cooperation projects under the China-EU Strategic Framework for Customs Cooperation, if they fulfill requirements, based on the purpose and principle of mutual exchange of information, mutual recognition of supervision and mutual assistance in law enforcement.

(10)The 6th meeting of the China-Hungary-Serbia joint working group on transport infrastructure cooperation will be held in Hungary in May 2017.

6.Cooperation in industry, energy, science and technology

(1)The Participants welcome and support Port Area Cooperation between China and CEECs bordering the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea, and establishment of China-CEEC Secretariat for Maritime Issues in Poland, to promote cooperation among the major ports of the coastal areas, support building coastal industrial clusters, and encourage cooperation in infrastructure development, including railways, roads, waterways and logistics hubs.

(2)The Participants support Romania' s imminent establishment of a China-CEEC Center for Dialogue and Cooperation on Energy Projects and welcome the participation of relevant Chinese and CEEC institutions, businesses and organizations as well as other partners, on a voluntary basis, and support the Center in facilitating the cooperation in the field of energy. The first edition of the 16+1 Energy Fair and Expo will be held in Bucharest in the first quarter of 2017.

(3)The 2nd China-CEEC Conference on Innovation Cooperation will be held in CEEC in 2017.

(4)The Participants support development of China-CEEC Technology Transfer Center established in Bratislava, Slovakia.

(5)The Participants support the environmental protection authorities of China and CEECs in enhancing exchanges under the framework of 16+1 Cooperation and exploration of cooperation with a third party.

7.Financial cooperation

(1)CEECs financial institutions and businesses are invited to contribute on voluntary basis to the investment fund launched by Sino-CEE Finance Holding Company Ltd., to jointly promote China-CEEC cooperation on connectivity and relevant industries.

(2)The Participants encourage Chinese banks to develop business in the CEECs and vice versa. The Participants support more regular exchanges and cooperation among financial regulatory and supervisory authorities.

(3)The Participants encourage Chinese financial institutions, including the Silk Road Fund, in actively expanding investment and cooperation in CEECs, and providing financing support for China-CEEC cooperation.

(4)The Participants support China and CEECs in enhancing practical cooperation under the framework of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, including third party cooperation with other countries and regions.

(5)The China-CEEC Investment Cooperation Fund (stage two) will be launched and put into operation in 2017.

(6)The Participants are willing to explore the possibility of establishing a China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association, and welcome participation of CEEC institutions on a voluntary basis. (mo