The Bar-Boljare highway represents the right path to prosperity, because it increases the confidence of the international community in the development prospects of Montenegro and helps the country to integrate into the European family, said Chinese ambassador to Montenegro, Fan Kun.
In the first conversation after assuming office, in September of last year, Fan spoke for CMG about the relations between Montenegro and China, mutual respect, but also the perspective for further international cooperation.
He called on political actors In the country to restore stability to Montenegro and jointly with China promote the further development of healthy and stable bilateral and friendly relations between the two countries, reports croatian.cri.cn.
Fan reminded that the traditional friendship between China and Montenegro has been going on since ancient times, and, as he stated, the cult Yugoslav film Most and its musical theme Bella Ciao, which is widely known throughout China and is still sung with pleasure, are to blame for this.
“I am also a big fan of this film and I still have many details and scenes from it clearly preserved in my memory.” Like many Chinese tourists who come here full of impressions, I also imagined Montenegro in a very beautiful way many years ago. I am looking forward, with the first buds of spring, to the recovery of exchange and cooperation between China and Montenegro in numerous areas as soon as possible,” Fan said.
Speaking about the most important infrastructural project in Montenegro, the Bar-Boljare highway, the construction of which was entrusted to the Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Fan assessed that the priority section represents a great achievement in practical cooperation between the two countries and a true model project in areas of infrastructure within the Belt and Road initiative and mechanisms of cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
“Since it was put into traffic in July of last year, more than a million vehicles have passed safely through this section, which has undoubtedly greatly facilitated the travel and life of all Montenegrin citizens, thus becoming a true symbol of Chinese-Montenegrin friendship and cooperation.” Looking at the long term, this highway is very important for four reasons. First of all, from the aspect of safety, it significantly improved traffic conditions in Montenegro, which will also affect the reduction of the number of victims and accidents on the roads,” said Fan.
Then, from the aspect of development, the highway, as he assessed, encourages the development of the surrounding areas and the overall economy of Montenegro, especially tourism, thereby reducing the gap that exists in terms of the uneven development of the north and south of the country.
Third, from the aspect of connectivity, the highway facilitates the interconnection of Montenegro with the countries of the region and the rest of Europe and contributes to strengthening the position of Montenegro as a regional traffic hub.
“Ultimately, it represents the right path to prosperity, because it raises the confidence of the international community in the development prospects of Montenegro and helps Montenegro integrate into the European family.” Time will show that China is a good and true friend of Montenegro, and that it is willing to selflessly help the citizens of Montenegro in achieving their economic and social development,” said Fan.
Asked about the creation of conditions for further cooperation between Montenegro and China, Fan pointed out that the two countries are true friends and partners who respect each other.
“Although China and Montenegro have certain differences in history, culture, social system, economic model, size and population, the two countries have a deep and traditional friendship, complementary development advantages, as well as a strong need for cooperation and desire for joint development”, Fan said.
According to him, there are three favorable circumstances that positively affect the cooperation between China and Montenegro.
First, there are frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, and mutual political trust is thus further consolidated.
In addition, both sides pursue an independent foreign policy of peace and insist that all countries are equal, regardless of their size, which has laid a solid political foundation for friendly relations and cooperation.
“Secondly, the practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results. In addition to the priority section of the highway, the two countries implemented a whole series of other economic and trade projects for mutual benefit and profit. Third, interpersonal and cultural exchanges continued to deepen, exchanges in the fields of education, culture, sports, health and other spheres were fruitful, but the friendship between our two peoples is also deeply rooted in the hearts of ordinary people. “China and Montenegro will continue to develop their friendship through time and space and achieve cooperation without limitations,” added Fan.
As the ambassador of China in Montenegro, he will strive, as he said, to fully affirm the continuation of exchange and cooperation between the countries in key areas, such as transport infrastructure and renewable energy sources, but also the continuation of deepening practical cooperation in the field of tourism, agricultural and food products , science and technology.
It will also contribute to the promotion of exchanges in culture, education and sports, while creating a starting point for cooperation in new areas, such as high technology, environmental protection and innovation.
When it comes to the turbulent political situation in Montenegro, Fan calls on Montenegrin politicians to achieve political reconciliation and restore stability to the country.
“China has always insisted that all countries are equal, regardless of their size. People from all walks of life in Montenegro firmly support the “one China” principle, and China at the same time strongly supports the development path that Montenegro has independently chosen. I hope that all parties in Montenegro will succeed in achieving political reconciliation within the constitutional and legal framework as soon as possible, restore political stability to Montenegro, enable its economic development and social harmony, and together with China promote the further development of healthy and stable bilateral and friendly relations between our two countries”, Fan added.
As a sincere friend and partner of Central and Eastern European countries, China will continue to firmly support their development, including Montenegro.
“First of all, it is necessary to persevere in preserving unity and friendship, because friendship is the main melody of China’s policy towards Europe, and joint cooperation is its main goal. Secondly, it is necessary to insist on synergy. Cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe is an important segment of China’s cooperation with the EU, and compliance with EU market rules and standards will help Europe achieve more balanced development. The third is to inherit openness and fight for mutual gain and benefit,” Fan said.
According to him, the country is ready to start new types of cooperation in the fields of exporting agricultural and food products to China, e-commerce, finance, connecting and facilitating people-to-people exchanges, local media reported.
