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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier also addressed the forum.
**Erdogan: Turkey welcomes the B&R Initiative
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In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Turkish President Erdogan said the initiative connects Europe, Asia, Africa and even America to one another.
Located at the crossroad of Asia and Europe, Turkey is an important country along the Belt and Road trade routes, and the country is willing to work with China under the initiative, the president said.
He also stressed that the success of the projects depends on trade facilitation and collaboration among countries. Extensive cooperation could enable objectives to be met, he added.
Putin: Russia salutes China's initiative
Earlier at the opening ceremony, Russian President Putin gave a speech on his country's actions and achievements in promoting regional and global development.
He said Russia salutes China's large scale initiative which could help the country seize opportunities in the region. Given the country's geopolitical status, Russia is willing to cooperate with China in various sectors.
At least 29 heads of state and government are attending the forum, the highest-profile international meeting on the Belt and Road since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative in 2013.
(CGTN)
