Yugoslavia, China Sign Joint CommuniqueVisiting 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 U.N. 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 U.S.-led NATO last year. Kostunica Meets China's FMYugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica told visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on Saturday, December 2, that it is of strategic importance for his country to develop relations with China.Briefing Tang on the latest developments of the situation in Yugoslavia, Kostunica said that to develop the Yugoslavia-China relationship is of strategic significance for Yugoslavia, as his country is aware that China plays an important role in establishing a fairer, new international order. During the meeting, Tang conveyed Chinese President Jiang Zemin's invitation for Kostunica to visit China and Kostunica accepted it with pleasure. Kostunica said Yugoslavia and China enjoy the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between them and bilateral relations have bright prospects for development. On the Kosovo issue, Tang said China strongly opposed the air campaign against Yugoslavia by the US-led NATO and maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia must be fully respected. China also maintains that the UN Security Council resolution No. 1244 should be carried out in real earnest and equal rights of ethnic groups in Kosovo be guaranteed effectively, Tang said. He also called for the early and total lifting of the sanctions against Yugoslavia. |
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