Lithuania quits Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Lithuania quits Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – International Relations 

In news

• Lithuania has quit China’s 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states, calling it “divisive”.

Important value additions 

Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEE, China-CEEC) 

• It is an initiative by China. 
• Objective: To promote business and investment relations between China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe Countries (CEEC).
• Founded in: 2012 in Warsaw.
• It will now be known as 16+1 after Lithuanias’ exit.

Do you know? 

• Central and Eastern Europe is a term encompassing the countries in Central Europe, the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Europe (the Balkans),
• It usually means former communist states from the Eastern Bloc and Warsaw Pact in Europe.
• Lithuania is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. 
• Capital: Vilnius.