China, Albania to enhance agriculture, infrastructure partnership

China vowed closer cooperation with Albania as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang discussed plans to construct a highway linking Albania and Macedonia with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday.

Li made the pledge during a meeting with Rama on the sidelines of the Summer Davos in north China's Tianjin city.

Hailing the traditional friendship with Albania, Li said the two countries should use the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations as an opportunity to improve high-level exchanges and promote practical cooperation in all fields.

He said China and Albania complement each other economically and have good prospects for energy, agriculture and infrastructure cooperation. China is willing to import more specialty agricultural and mining products from Albania and support Chinese enterprises as they engage in infrastructure development in Albania.

"China and Albania will work to make breakthroughs on large projects by promoting the construction of the highway linking Albania and Macedonia in particular, " Li said.

Rama said both countries have enjoyed sound relations, voicing willingness to deepen traditional friendship and expand cooperation with China. He welcomed investment from more Chinese entrepreneurs in Albania, saying the country would help facilitate such transactions.

Rama said cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries have achieved positive outcomes and called for mutual efforts to bring peace and development in Central and Eastern Europe.