China boosts investment in Central and Eastern Europe

[bemildred]

At the third summit of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), held in Belgrade on 16 and 17 December, China announced new funds and ventures with the region, stressing that the cooperation will be in line with European standards. EurActiv Serbia reports.

Some see the strengthening of cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries as the making of a new “Silk Road,” while others believe it is a way for the Chinese to further their presence in the greater EU market.

From the perspective of countries of the CEE, what should be enabled first with one of the world’s leading economies is investment, which is necessary at a time of economic difficulty, in infrastructure and energy projects.

Analysts, however, point out that it is questionable how profitable those projects are, given that they are carried out by Chinese companies with Chinese loans, although the loans are favorable.

http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/china-boosts-investment-central-and-eastern-europe-310997

[bemildred]

1. PM Vucic: 'Serbia is once again an open society'

(CNN) -- Serbia hosted the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern Europe this week, marking the first visit of a Chinese Premiere to Belgrade in 28 years.

The Balkan nation has positioned itself as an attractive destination for Chinese investment over the last decade, with a number of big projects in the pipeline. One of them is the China-funded Zemun-Borca bridge over the Danube river which was ceremonially opened by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Serbian prime minister Aleksandar Vucic Thursday.

Serbia is increasingly looking to invest in big infrastructure projects in Southeast Europe in order to ease the passage of its goods from the Greek port of Piraeus, which is under a 35-year concession by Chinese shipping giant Cosco, to western Europe.

CNN's Paula Newton sat down with Vucic in Belgrade ahead of the summit to discuss the government's efforts against corruption, Serbia's strategy for EU membership and the Kosovo issue. An edited version of the interview follows.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/19/world/europe/serbian-pm-aleksandar-vucic/index.html