| China Sees Good Old Friend in Albania |
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| Thursday,February 26,2009 Posted: 19:42 BJT(42 GMT) |
| From:Albanian Daily News Article type:Reproduced |
TIRANA - China has said it regards the relations with
Albania as an important part of its European foreign policy.
“China considers Albania an old good friend and a good partner in south-eastern Europe,” the Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Wu Hongbo was quoted by an Albanian government press release as having told Premier Sali Berisha on Wednesday.
“We have supported Albania in its integration and development processes and will continue to do so,” Hong said.
The senior Chinese diplomat is visiting Albania in the framework of bilateral preparations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Hongbo conveyed to Berisha the greetings from the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao who expressed the pleasure to meet the former at the Asian Economic Summit.
Premier Berisha declared that the bilateral relations between the two countries were very good and the economic and trade cooperation had a rising trend over the last two year.
“Chinese companies are welcomed to invest in fields of their interest like mining, energy, infrastructure, tourism, etc,” said Berisha, giving assurances that the Albanian gover4nment would provide all the facilities to the Chinese businesses.
Back in 1990s when Berisha was head of the Democratic Party, the first opposition force in the country before the fall of the communist government, he deplored the ties with China considering the latter a communist country and criticized a visit of the late foreign minister, Reiz Malile to Beijing in February 1991. Berisha’s DP militants held protests in front of foreign ministry asking for Malile’s resignation after returning from China which he did, being replaced by Muhamet Kapllani, a former deputy foreign minister.
But in Wednesday’s meeting Berisha declared that a visit by the Chinese Premier would be welcomed to Albania.
Hongbo was quoted by the government’s statement as replying that “this invitation would be welcomed by the Chinese Premier as an historic development and encouragement of the relations between the two countries.”
In addition the interlocutors spoke of the eventual signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between Albania and China and a soft credit for the Albanian government.
Hongbo said China was pleased by the growth of the last years’ trade exchanges with Albania and China welcomed Albanian products to its vast market.
In the meantime Xinhua quoted Berisha as saying Albania would unswervingly adhere to a One China policy. “Albania attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations with China, and our two countries have been enjoying a traditional friendly relationship during the past 60 years,” Berisha said.
Source: Albanian Daily News, February 26, 2009, P3
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Bilateral Visits