Jinping-Ivanov: China prepared to give Macedonia a hand

People's Republic of China and the Republic of Macedonia have achieved the highest level of bilateral relations, agreed countries' Presidents Xi Jinping and Gjorge Ivanov on Tuesday, MIA reports from Beijing.

"Our political relations have intensified over the past two decades, which is seen by the high-level meetings, progress and mutual cooperation in diverse areas. China is prepared to give Macedonia a hand towards accelerated development of bilateral relations", said Chinese President Jinping at the meeting.

He announced cooperation with Macedonia in construction and infrastructure projects, agriculture and other sectors - education, culture, Chinese traditional medicine - thus stimulating swift development of bilateral relations.

President Ivanov also stressed that bilateral relations have reached the highest level thus far.

Interlocutors referred to the cooperation established over the past 20 years of diplomatic ties, multilateral support in global terms, bilateral support in international organizations, economic cooperation etc.

"We agreed that political cooperation has intensified to the highest level through meetings between Presidents, PMs, Parliament Speakers", said Ivanov.

Pertaining to economic cooperation, the presidents stressed it has intensified over the years, resulting in the lowering of the trade deficit.

"We showed interest for increased presence of Macedonian products at the Chinese market. In this context, we mentioned the initiative put forward by the Chinese PM over the opening of a free zone for Chinese companies in Macedonia", added Ivanov.

He also referred to the US$10 billion pool that China has allocated for infrastructure projects in Central nd Eastern Europe.

"Macedonia is the first country to finalize its project. Following an approval by the Parliament, Macedonia will be able to use the funds for the construction of motorways Miladinovci-Stip and Ohrid-Kicevo", said Ivanov.

Interlocutors also tackled the initiative over the use of Chinese traditional medicine in Macedonia's health system.

On Wednesday, President Ivanov will attend the opening of the 14. Western China International Fair in Chengdu, where he is set to deliver an address titled "Balanced Development and Common Prosperity".

Macedonian Wines promoted in China

Wines produced by eleven Macedonian wineries will be showcased from Thursday to Saturday at the Interwine international wine and spirits exhibition held in Guangzhou, China.

Wines by the wineries Tikves, Stobi, Skovin, Dalvina, Popov, Bovin, Kamnik, Dudin, Ezimit, Imako and Popova Kula will be presented at a joint stand. Wine tasting and a presentation of Macedonia as a tourist and investment destination is also planned at the event for the visitors.

Stobi's Vranec Veritas 2011 and Bovin's Disan 2010 have been awarded at a wine competition out of 130 wines from 20 countries. Macedonia's Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion has been recognised for being the best strategic partners at this year's edition of the exhibition.

The 120 square meter pavilion, where Macedonian wines will be presented, was provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. The Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, the Agency for Tourism Support and the "Wines of Macedonia" association together with the Chinese embassy in Macedonia enabled the presentation.

More than 500 exhibitors from 20 countries worldwide are presenting their products at the Interwine international wine and spirits exhibition. It is visited by over 20.000 exporters and wine distributors from all over China.

Macedonian wine to be exported in China

Seven Macedonian wineries from the association "Wines from Macedonia" will export wines to the Chinese market. The wineries signed a contract with the Chinese importer and distributor "Tianjin".

Nearly 456 thousand bottles are planned to be exported in the first year. The contract is valued at one and a half million euros in the first year only. The export is planned to be kicked off in coming days.

"China is a destination which is aimed by wineries to achieve good results because traditional economies have been hit by recession and have been implementing austerity measures, whereas China is registering economic growth. At the moment, China is considered as a huge market with potential and this contract probably confirms it," the acting executive director of the "Wines from Macedonia" association, Gjorgi Petrusev told a press conference on Monday.

What lingers on as a challenge for the future, Petrusev said, is to change the perception of foreign consumers that Macedonia has solid cheap wine. "The challenge to promote ourselves and prove that high quality wines are produced in Macedonia still remains," he added.

The director of the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, Visar Fida voiced content with the agreement. "The Chinese importer was visited during the government's road show in May in China. We are pleased that already there are results," Fida said.

Thus far, Macedonian wine was promoted in New York, Chicago, Washington and Finland, while presentations are scheduled to take place in Poland and the Netherlands next month.

Macedonia Presenting Its Folklore in China

Macedonia is promoting its folklore in China this week, ending in November 19.
Exhibit "Macedonian Folklore" of Gordana Vrencoska will have the honor the open the event at the Beijing Jintai Art Museum. The exhibit will display photos, items, graphics, along with traditional folk costumes.
Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, who is set to open the display, will sign Wednesday a cooperation program for the period 2012-2017 with Chinese counterpart Cai Wu.
In the course of the official visit to Beijing, Minister Kanceska-Milevska will visit several national institutions and meet with chairman of the China Artists Association.
On Thursday, prominent folk ensemble "Tanec" will give a concert in Beijing Century hall, followed by another one in the city of Dalian.