Beijing

The President of the Romanian Olympic and Sporting Committee (COSR), Mihai Covaliu, declared on the occasion of the 130th anniversary since the establishment of AGERPRES that he further expects the National News Agency to be there for the performances of the Romanian athletes at major international competitions.

The country has withstood pressure from the West, especially from the US, to become the first G7 and EU member that jhas oined China's Belt and Road initiative - despite the European Commission refusing to do what last year.

Belgrade daily Srpski Telegraf reported this on Saturday.

The agreement should be signed in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative during the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos (l) takes a cellphone photo outside the Great Hall of the People before the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday. [AP]

Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing Monday. "There is a significant alignment of interests, precisely because we too endeavor that our country becomes a bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa," Katrougalos said in a statement. [Reuters]

Chinese Embassy to Turkey has announced that the country's general-consulate in Izmir was closed as of Feb. 28 due to general arrangements with regard to consular activities. The move comes amid an ongoing row between Ankara and Beijing over the Uighur problem in which the former has harshly criticized Chinese government of assimilating the Muslim Turkic minority.

Turkey's determination in cooperating with China as part of the latter's "One Belt One Road Initiative" has not changed despite an ongoing spat over the treatment of Uighur Turks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said, reiterating Ankara's call for Beijing to "separate terrorists from innocent civilians."

The minister welcomed the Chinese ambassador, who recently began her diplomatic mandate in the Republic of Serbia, and particularly emphasized excellent cooperation with the previous Ambassador of China Li Manchang, adding that he believes that successful cooperation will continue.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman turned a blind eye to the plight of China's Uighur Muslims when he met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Feb. 22.