Extratcs.
Saturday, October 28, 2000, updated at 11:37(GMT+8)
Russia, Yugoslavia Issue Joint Statement on Strategic
Partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his visiting
Yugoslav counterpart Vojislav Kostunica on Friday
signed a joint statement on establishing a new,
all-around partnership between their countries and
agreed to maintain regular political dialogue at
various levels, including the top leadership.
Before signing the document, the presidents discussed
bilateral political and economic ties, regional
security and international issues of common
interests, especially the situation in Yugoslavia and
in the whole Balkan region, Russian media reported.
The two sides also mulled the problems of Russian gas
deliveries to Yugoslavia, Belgrade's gas debts to
Moscow and the possibility of paying the debts with
commodities.
At the meeting, Putin stressed that Yugoslavia is
Russia's traditional and main partnership in the
Balkans. He praised Kostunica for peacefully solving
the crisis over recent Yugoslav presidential
elections.
Putin stated that Russia will stand together with
Yugoslavia forever and respects the Yugoslav people's
choice.
The two sides will expand mutually beneficial
economic and technological cooperation under most
favored nation conditions, the joint statement says.
Russia will "provide tangible aid to Yugoslavia in
rebuilding its economy and overcoming the NATO
aggression and the policy of sanctions," it says.
The statement emphasizes the importance of the early
resumption of Yugoslavia's participation in
international cooperation, in particular its
full-fledged membership in the international
community.
"Russia and Yugoslavia regard full normalization and
the establishment of neighborly relations between all
the countries that emerged from the former Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the main factor in
stabilizing the situation in the Balkans," it
continues.
The two countries firmly support full implementation
of the UN Security Council resolution No.1244 on
Kosovo, aimed at constructing there a democratic
multi-ethnic society, the early
start of political talks and the signing of an
agreement on the status of the Yugoslav province, the
statement reads.
Kostunica, who was elected Yugoslav president last
month and announced a non-pro-West policy earlier
this month, reaffirmed after his meeting with Putin
that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia relies "not
only on its traditional partners and closest
neighbors such as Russian Federation, but also on the
West."
He said relations with Russia are important to
Yugoslavia and Russia's presence in the Balkans is of
great significance.
Kostunica arrived in Moscow on Friday morning for a
working visit, his first trip to Russia after being
elected the Yugoslav head of state. On the same day,
he also met with Russian Foreign
Minister Igor Ivanov.
Yugoslavia remains Russia's key and closest partner
in the Balkans and Russia intends to build its
relations with Yugoslavia on a long-term basis and to
promote progress in every field, Ivanov told
Kostunica.
Yugoslavia's legitimate seat in the United Nations
and other international bodies will promote stability
in the Balkans and Europe, he noted, vowing that
Russia will continue pressing for this.
****
Saturday, October 28, 2000, updated at 11:30(GMT+8)
China's State-Owned Enterprises to Increase
Efficiency
China's State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are now
working under a "code of conduct" which means they
must quicken the pace of modernization and improve
their management.
The code was worked out at a time when the country is
already pressing ahead with SOE reforms and preparing
for entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO),
according to Saturday's China Daily.
Sheng Huaren, minister of the State Economic and
Trade Commission, was cited by the paper as saying
that it was necessary to have a code of conduct which
lays down the basics for setting up a modern
corporate system in China, and sets out the
fundamental requirements for enterprises to
strengthen management.
Such a code, if implemented to the letter, will
propel forward SOE reforms and add to the competence
and confidence of State-owned businesses in braving
the challenges they face with entry into the WTO.
Under the 69-article code, all large and medium-sized
SOEs, except State monopolies, will be gradually
transformed into limited and stock companies with
multiple shareholders.
The code, revised and endorsed by State leaders
including Premier Zhu Rongji, highlights making and
implementing "correct development strategies" for the
SOEs, and urges them to set up a rational decision
making mechanism, and emphasizes the application of
modern information technology such as electronic
commerce.
****
Senior CPC Official Meets Myanmese Delegation Li Ruihuan, a Standing
Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party
Central Committee, met Thursday with Win Myint, vice-president of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association of Myanmar, and his delegation.
Li, who is also chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said China and Myanmar are
friendly neighbors faced with the same task of developing the economy and
improving living standards, and they hold the same or similar views on many
international issues, Li said, stressing that it is in the fundamental
interests of both countries to further advance their friendly cooperation.
Li said China has undergone dramatic changes since its reform and opening
up. There are broad prospects for economic development of Myanmar, which
enjoys abundant forest, mineral and tourist resources.
The development of the two countries is mutually beneficial, Li said,
adding that China sincerely hopes that Myanmar will realize economic
development and national prosperity, allowing a happier life for its
people.
Win Myint, who is also the third secretary of the State Peace and
Development Council of Myanmar, agreed with Li that Myanmar and China are
close in their brotherly relations. Myanmar, as always, will stick to its
policy of developing friendship with China, he affirmed.
He also voiced admiration of China's great achievements in the past over 20
years, expressing the hope that bilateral economic and trade cooperation
would be further reinforced so as to realize a common development.
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