China, Albania vow to improve ties

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday met with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, whilst the two officials called on both countries to raise their bilateral ties to a new level. Yang, who is on a one-day visit to Albania, said in the meeting that China and Albania enjoyed profound traditional friendship, and that China attached great importance to its friendly cooperation with Albania. "The traditional friendship and mutual complementation in trade should serve as a basis for strengthening pragmatic cooperation in various fields to benefit the two peoples," Yang said. He hoped the two countries would strengthen economic and trade cooperation while maintaining high-level exchanges. "China welcomes Albanian enterprises to actively develop the Chinese market, and we are going to provide conveniences for niche products of Albania to enter the Chinese market," Yang said. The Chinese foreign minister said China and Albania should work together to make their bilateral relations a role model for China to follow when developing ties with other Balkan countries. China thanks Albania for its historic contribution to restore China's legitimate seat in the UN 40 years ago and appreciates Albania's adherence to the one-China policy, Yang said. Berisha said China had played an important role in the UN Security Council after its legitimate seat was restored, which had been of great significance, not only for China, but also for world peace and stability. "Albania will resolutely pursue the one-China policy, which is the political foundation of developing bilateral relations," Berisha said. He said Albania welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Albania's energy, mining and port areas, and that the country was willing to further improve the investment environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in more favorable conditions.