Montenegrin president meets Chinese FM

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Cetinje, a city near Montenegro's capital Podgorica, on Saturday, expressing Montenegro's willingness to deepen friendly relations and practical cooperation with China.

Milatovic asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and welcomed the first-ever visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Montenegro.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Montenegro and China, Milatovic said the visit holds important symbolic significance.

Recalling his experience studying in China, Milatovic said he had gained a deeper understanding of China's economic and social development and the lives of its people, as well as the importance of cooperation with China.

Noting that European Union (EU) accession is currently a priority on Montenegro's foreign policy agenda, Milatovic said the country also attaches great importance to relations with China, with Montenegro firmly adhering to the one-China principle and remaining committed to friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China.

Over the past two decades, Montenegro-China relations have made significant progress in various fields, with infrastructure, trade and economic cooperation, and tourism emerging as three key areas, he said.

Earlier this year, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and Chinese Premier Li Qiang reached important consensus on further deepening cooperation during their meeting in China, Milatovic said, adding that Montenegro looks forward to maintaining political dialogue and deepening practical cooperation with China based on mutual respect, so as to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Milatovic, saying that despite the geographical distance, China and Montenegro have always respected and treated each other as equals, setting an example of friendly exchanges between countries of different sizes.

Wang said China appreciates Milatovic's rational and objective understanding of China and his active efforts to promote bilateral relations.

He said China has consistently maintained that all countries, big or small, are equal, and has always followed the path of partnership over alliance and dialogue over confrontation.

China appreciates Montenegro's firm adherence to the one-China principle, respects the path and governance model chosen by the Montenegrin people, and stands ready to be a reliable and trustworthy partner of Montenegro, he added.

Wang said China has engaged in practical cooperation with Montenegro in good faith, delivering tangible results.