Montenegrin Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic said in New York on Wednesday that his country wishes to strengthen dialogue with China and explore new ways of cooperation.

 

Montenegro wants to boost cooperation with China in such areas as economy, trade, and tourism, Sturanovic told Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

He thanked China, which recognized Montenegro shortly after its declaration of independence, for the precious support to the Montenegrin people.

 

Yang, for his part, said China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Montenegro, respects the path of development chosen by the Montenegrin people.

 

China has all along held the view that all nations, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal members of the international community, Yang said.

 

The Chinese government stands ready to advance the steady development of bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Yang added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2007)