Premier Li Keqiang and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov both declared that the “16+1” cooperation mechanism is not a geopolitical platform, but one for economic and cultural cooperation.

They made the remarks while meeting the press on July 6 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Borissov said the “16+1” cooperation does not contradict European integration, but promotes economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges among EU countries, Central and Eastern European countries outside the EU, and China. It is a pragmatic cooperation based entirely on market principles, he added.

Premier Li said China always supports European integration and a united EU. The “16+1” cooperation does not only benefit China, CEE countries, but also benefits Europe, world multi-polarization and free trade, he added.