BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng met with Albanian Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta on Tuesday, vowing to strengthen bilateral ties.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told Meta that Albania is "a good friend and a good partner" of China in Europe.

Recent years have witnessed frequent political exchanges, enhanced mutual trust and close economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, Yu said.

Yu said China was willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Albania and beef up cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. He added that cooperation would be enhanced between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), so as to better benefit the two countries and people.

He said the CPPCC would conduct exchanges with the Albanian Parliament at various levels, and help enhance cooperation in areas such as the economy, trade and culture.

Hailing the sound development of bilateral ties, Meta said Albania supports the China-CEECs cooperation and takes an active part in it.

Albania is willing to be a robust partner of China in the Balkan Peninsula and in Europe, Meta said.