GENEVA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, said here on Tuesday that his country has "definitely" benefited from Chinese investment, adding that the European Union (EU) should focus its efforts to help the southeast Europe develop its infrastructure.
In the World Investment Forum organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Djukanovic said Montenegro was implementing a huge highway project with Chinese companies, which is "the most expensive infrastructure project that Montenegro has ever had".
Refuting criticism and suspicion on Chinese participation in the project, Djukanovic underlined that "we have done this after a very thorough analysis and thinking", adding that it is impossible for his own country to implement such a project with national budget.
Djukanovic suggested that the EU should offer favorable conditions for the development of infrastructure in southeast Europe.
"They could offer the same as China, loans for 20 years, interest rate of two percent, with the grace period of seven years. There is no country in the world that would miss that opportunity, particularly if you come from an under-developed country from South-East Europe, and you need infrastructure," said the president of the Balkan country.
He also suggested that the EU, as the "engine of development", should start thinking about what it can offer to the region.
"They have to remain consistent in the implementation of the United Europe," he concluded.
The 41-km-long road under construction, supported with Chinese loans and engineering expertise under the Belt and Road Initiative, is the first phase of a 180-km-long highway, which will link the Adriatic port of Bar to landlocked Serbia. It is the biggest infrastructure in Montenegro, a terrain-challenged country that nevertheless has been drawing an increasing number of international tourists.
