SOFIA, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Rumen Porodzanov on Thursday opened the first demonstration zone for agricultural commodities trade under the 16+1 cooperation mechanism between China and the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC).

The zone was launched at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, the ministry said in a press release.

"Part of it is also a demonstration center, which will train students who will have the opportunity to make real deals with China," the ministry said.

The establishment of the demonstration zone was agreed between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last year, the ministry said.

At the opening ceremony, Porodzanov recalled the establishment in Bulgaria of the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries, the ministry said.

Thanks to the Association, Bulgaria has become a pioneer in agriculture, Porodzanov said at the ceremony, which was also attended by Plovdiv Region Governor Zdravko Dimitrov.