China rolled out the red carpet Thursday for visiting Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and signed a joint statement with the southeastern European nation to establish a comprehensive cooperative partnership. 

Premier Wen Jiabao and Sanader sealed the deal in Beijing and witnessed the signing of three more agreements aimed at fostering better business and trade cooperation in the fields of banking and energy.

Wen said China and Croatia have always maintained a friendly relationship and there is no unresolved problem between them.

He said the establishment of the comprehensive cooperative partnership marks a new phase in the countries' relations and added that China expects more high-level exchanges to enhance mutual political trust.

Sanader said his country is willing to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, technology and culture with China.

(China Daily May 27, 2005)