Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to the third ministerial forum on cultural cooperation between China and countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 22.

Premier Li hailed the cooperation between China and CEE countries over the past five years, yielding fruitful results and bringing tangible benefits to people of all parties.

It owes a great deal to the traditional friendship among China and CEE countries with a solid foundation, and their dedication to mutual learning and inclusiveness among different cultures and civilizations with an open-mind attitude, as well as to pragmatic cooperation bearing in mind mutual benefits, for common development and prosperity, said the Premier.

He added that with the ever expanding "16+1" cooperation, relations between China and Europe have further developed in a more comprehensive manner.

Focused on the theme of culture, exchange, cooperation and sharing, Premier Li said he hoped that the forum will draw useful opinions widely, build consensus, and explore new approaches, models and platforms for cultural exchanges, to enhance the level of exchanges and enrich cooperation.

Taking this as the beginning, the Premier also hoped efforts would be made to develop the friendship and inject new vitality into the "16+1" cooperation and cooperation between China and Europe.

The forum, held every two years, was jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Zhejiang's provincial government.