Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Podgorica, Montenegro on Sunday, with both sides expressing their willingness to further deepen bilateral relations and expand practical cooperation.
During the meeting, Spajic asked Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leadership.
Recalling the warm reception he received during his visit to China in June, Spajic said Wang's visit demonstrates the importance China attaches to developing bilateral relations.
Montenegro and China share historical memories and enjoy traditional friendship, as both countries fought against fascism and foreign aggression during World War II, he said.
Montenegro highly values China's status and influence as a major country and appreciates China's responsible efforts to curb rising global oil prices amid the conflicts in the Middle East, which have helped Montenegro and other small and medium-sized countries cope with the energy crisis, demonstrating China's sense of responsibility as a major country, Spajic said.
Noting Montenegro's sound economic and social development in recent years, Spajic said Chinese enterprises have helped the country complete the construction of its north-south expressway.
The ongoing joint restoration of the Tara River Bridge is a project of great historical significance, bringing the two peoples closer and serving as a testament to their traditional friendship, he said.
China has always been one of Montenegro's most important partners in its development, Spajic said, adding that deepening cooperation with China meets the aspirations of the Montenegrin people and enjoys broad public support.
Montenegro stands ready to work closely with China to advance cooperation in tourism, infrastructure and green transition, conduct exchange on experience in governance and accelerate their respective development and revitalization, he said.
Spajic welcomed the new consensus reached through the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism, saying that closer communication and cooperation between China and the EU, as close partners and two major global forces and markets, are conducive to global stability and development.
"Montenegro is about to join the European Union (EU) and this is our biggest priority, and we see that China is supporting that path and we are very happy for that. We also see that there is progress in the trade negotiation between the European Union and China, and we are happy to see that," said Spajic in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
For his part, Wang conveyed Chinese leader's best wishes to Spajic, saying that China and Montenegro have always been good friends on their paths toward development and revitalization.
The two countries have respected and supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, providing an important guarantee for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations, Wang said.
Noting that the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is an important year for building on past achievements and opening up new prospects, Wang said China stands ready to explore with Montenegro the ways to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and become long-term and trustworthy strategic partners.
Wang said China and Montenegro share much in common. Both peoples are unafraid of bullying and firmly defend their national dignity. They both achieved victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and should remain vigilant against the resurgence of militarism.
Both countries uphold and practice multilateralism and oppose a return to the "law of the jungle," he said.
Both countries advocate economic globalization, safeguard free trade and oppose all forms of conservatism and isolationism, Wang said, adding that both support resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful political means.
The Tara River Bridge, he said, connects the hearts of the two peoples and carries both the history and future of bilateral relations. China's assistance in restoring the bridge is of great historical and social significance, he added.
Wang said China understands Montenegro's efforts to join the EU and believes that its EU accession process is fully compatible with strengthening ties with China, hopting that Montenegro will inject fresh impetus into the health development of China-EU relations.
China, Montenegro express willingness to further deepen bilateral ties, expand practical cooperation
China, Montenegro express willingness to further deepen bilateral ties, expand practical cooperation
