Jinan, 26 May 2026 (MIA) - In a world facing numerous economic and global challenges, cooperation is not a choice but a necessity, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Community Relations Ivan Stoilјkovic Tuesday in Jinan, the capital of China’s Shandong province. He noted that the cooperation platform between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe is an example of how dialogue, respect, and a shared vision can create new opportunities for all.

In his address in Macedonian to participants at the 7th China-CEEC Local Leaders' Meeting and the 2026 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation (SDIFCC) and Exchange Week, as reported by MIA’s correspondent, he said that Macedonia sees the People’s Republic of China as an important economic partner and a friendly country with room for further deepening cooperation, particularly in infrastructure, investment, technology, tourism, education, cultural exchange and agriculture.

“We believe that the period ahead should be one of more intensive economic communication, stronger connectivity between regions, cities and companies, as well as opening new opportunities for foreign investment and joint projects that will bring tangible benefits to our citizens. Our country is ready to actively contribute to enhancing cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe by building partnerships based on mutual respect, understanding and long-term vision. I am convinced that local and regional cooperation can be the driving force of a new development cycle – because the strongest ties always begin between people, cities and communities,” he said.

He also stressed that today, more than ever, it is necessary to build strong bridges of friendship, trust and economic cooperation.

He stressed that these relations should be further reinforced and developed into true friendship between the two peoples and states, grounded in mutual respect, stability and joint development. He expressed confidence in a stable and sincere partnership with China, which will continue to evolve through shared progress and mutual respect, adding that the gathering should lead to new initiatives, investments and stronger connections.

Speaking to MIA after his meeting with Shen Yiqin, State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China, Stoilјkovic noted that this is the first official high-level visit to China by a Macedonian delegation in a long period.

“After a long time, more precisely after 10 years – or even longer of somewhat neglected relations between our country, the Republic of Macedonia, and the People’s Republic of China – this is the first serious official visit at a very high level. We held talks with my counterpart in the Chinese state political structure and a personal representative of President Xi Jinping, and we opened the three most important topics in the field of interstate relations between our country and the People’s Republic of China. We hope that in the coming period, by addressing these three issues, which are very important primarily for our economy, we will be able to expect not only increased economic cooperation, but also developments that could have a very positive impact on the Macedonian economy,” he noted.

As part of the meeting held under the motto “Shaping the Future Together,” alongside senior Chinese government officials and representatives of Shandong Province, addresses were also delivered by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarović, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marinko Čavara and Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mirsad Nurković, among others.

At the opening ceremony, a friendship and relations agreement between cities was also signed, and the results of programs for people-to-people and cultural exchange were announced, along with cooperation in science, technology, and business with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The event also featured several sessions on economic, trade, and regional cooperation, with about 600 participants including representatives from sister cities worldwide, business and trade associations, experts and scholars, universities and think tanks.

While in China, Stoilјkovic also visited Shanghai and gave two interviews to Chinese media outlets, among them China’s state television CGTN.

Photo: MIA