Chinese FM holds talks with Montenegrin counterpart

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that China is ready to expand practical cooperation and elevate ties with Montenegro to a higher level.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during talks with Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro.

Wang said China and Montenegro are good friends despite the geographical distance.

China was among the first countries to recognize Montenegro's independence and establish diplomatic relations with it, demonstrating China's respect for Montenegro and the importance it attaches to bilateral ties, he added.

Over the past 20 years, China-Montenegro relations have maintained sound and steady development, bringing benefits to both peoples and setting an example of win-win cooperation between countries with different sizes, national conditions and social systems, Wang said.

Wang said both countries share a history of anti-fascism and a national spirit of resilience and defiance in the face of aggression, noting that China is helping restore the Tara River Bridge featured in the famous Yugoslav film "The Bridge," which he believes will also connect the hearts of the two peoples.

Wang said China is ready to take the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to review the success of bilateral cooperation, elevate bilateral ties to a higher level on that basis, and explore an even better future for both countries over the next 20 years.

Wang said China supports Montenegro's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports the path of development and revitalization chosen by the Montenegrin people, and supports Montenegro in playing an active role in international affairs.

China has both the willingness and the capability to help Montenegro achieve development and stands ready to be a reliable and long-term partner, he said.

China appreciates Montenegro's commitment to the one-China principle and believes that the two countries will continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, thus consolidating the political foundation for bilateral relations and creating important conditions for deeper cooperation, Wang said.

He added that China encourages Chinese enterprises to actively participate in Montenegro's infrastructure development and is ready to expand cooperation with Montenegro in tourism, energy, green transition and other areas.

On China-EU relations, Wang said China understands Montenegro's efforts to join the EU and hopes that Montenegro will become another good friend of China within the EU in the future.