BEIJING, June 19 -- Top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang on Friday met with Mitja Bervar, president of Slovenia's upper house National Council, in Beijing.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), reviewed the smooth growth of China-Slovenia relations in recent years, citing deeper friendship and closer cooperation.

As Slovenia is located in central Europe, President Xi Jinping's proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative offers new opportunities for China-Slovenia cooperation, Zhang said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aims to connect economies across Asia Pacific to Europe.

China would like to work more closely with Slovenia on the implementation of agreements reached between leaders of China and Central and Eastern European countries and advance infrastructure and investment cooperation, Zhang said.

The NPC would like to increase exchange and cooperation with Slovenia's National Assembly, the National Council and enhance mutual understanding and contribute more to China-Slovenia relations, Zhang said.

Bervar said Slovenia-China cooperation had huge potentials and that his country would like to work with China to deepen cooperation in various fields.