Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that Central and Eastern Europe has become the most competitive investment environment on the continent.
The prime minister addressed representatives at the 7th China-CEEC Summit (16+1 Summit) in Budapest on Monday, and highlighted how the 16 CEE countries in attendance were the “engine” behind Europe’s economic growth.
The prime minister, joined by China's premier Li Keqiang at the event, pointed out that “the star of the Orient is high” in the global economy; with the Chinese economy soaring. He said Europe will need to involve the East “technically and financially” to develop further.
Europe must not turn inward or else it will lose on opportunities for development, especially “at a time when it faces historic challenges which it cannot meet unless it has powerful allies," the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that cooperation was mutually beneficial for all participants. He added that in recent years economic cooperation between China and the CEE region has gradually been increasing, reducing the distance between Europe and Asia.
Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was also present at the event and said that countries in the CEE region offer good opportunities for Chinese companies through their “reasonable policies, economic growth above the European average and competitive investment environment”.
Minister Szijjártó added that no open issues have remained to hinder business cooperation between China and the CEE region.