(ANSA) - ZAGREB, APR 12 - The summit between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans began today in Dubrovnik (Croatia), the so-called '16 +1' format. The meeting will focus on economic cooperation and the development of common projects, within the framework of the Chinese strategic 'New Silk Road' initiative.

Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, opening the plenary session, said that the summit ''will focus on the development of common projects, especially in the field of infrastructure and energy''.

This is the eighth summit between China and CEEC countries (Central and Eastern European Countries), of which 11 are EU members. The '16 +1 'format includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. Greece's premier Alexis Tsipras will participate in the summit since the country intends to join the initiative. The meeting will be attended by fourteen heads of government and China's prime minister Li Keqiang, at the head of a large delegation composed of government officials. About one thousand entrepreneurs, of which four hundred are from China, participate in the meetings. (ANSA).