President Xi Jinping held talks with President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini. President Xi noted that Slovakia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China, and the two countries enjoy profound and robust friendship. China is ready to work with Slovakia to develop a strategic partnership that features mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, stability and resilience, so as to deliver more benefits to both peoples. China always sees the EU as a partner, and develops relations with the EU with sincerity and goodwill. It is hoped that Slovakia would play a constructive role in encouraging the EU to focus on consensus and properly handle disagreements with China, and in promoting the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.