Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Yugoslav counterpart Goran Svilanovic signed a joint communique between the two countries in Belgrade on Sunday, December 3.
Maintenance and continued development of the mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal footing between the two countries in various fields is in keeping with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace and stability of the region and the world at large, the communique said.
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia values the important role China plays in international affairs and highly appreciates the positive contributions that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has made in maintaining peace and stability in the whole world, southeastern Europe included.
Reaffirming its position on the Taiwan issue, Yugoslavia stated that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of China, according to the communique.
Regarding Yugoslavia as an important factor in promoting peace, stability and cooperation in southeastern Europe, China said it values the Balkan nation' efforts in maintaining internal stability and respects its policy of joining the European integration process.
China will offer continued support to Yugoslavia in its efforts for re-entry into the international community and calls for the early and unconditional lifting of all sanctions against Belgrade.
China also reaffirmed its support for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia and called for the effective implementation of the UN resolution 1244 so as to ensure that the Kosovo issue will be resolved on a just, permanent basis.
Yugoslavia thanked China for providing humanitarian aid and economic assistance to it during its most difficult days.
On economic cooperation, the two countries agreed to continue to implement the existing agreements between them. China will continue to encourage its companies to take an active part in the economic reconstruction of Yugoslavia and Yugoslavia will provide Chinese enterprises with facilities for the endeavor.
More measures will be taken to expand cooperation in such fields as science and technology, culture, education, sports, environmental protection and health.
The two nations also agreed to strengthen cooperation in fighting against organized crimes, illegal immigration and international terrorism.
On Sunday morning, the Chinese foreign minister also held talks with Miroljub Labus, the Yugoslav deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Economic Relations.
In the afternoon, Tang visited the ruined Chinese embassy in Belgrade and laid a wreath to commemorate the three Chinese journalists killed when the embassy was hit in a missile attack by the US-led NATO last year.
(People’s Daily 12/04/2000)
