Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said here on Saturday that Albania-China relations were "very important" and he looked forward to visiting China soon.

"I would like to do everything on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (between the two countries) to inject energies into bilateral friendship and cooperation," said the prime minister.

"I would like to salute and send my best wishes to the Chinese people and government, looking forward with great interest and pleasure to my next visit to this great friendly country," Berisha said.

Berisha was in Strasbourg for a two-day NATO summit as his country, along with Croatia, joined the military alliance on April1.

Asked what benefits Albania could get from joining NATO, he said that Albanians would have a great opportunity to enjoy peace and freedom in the future.

"Our nation had a very difficult past and it was always the first casualty of war and conflict," he said, "Now she will never walk alone to her fate."

On the role Albania may play in the alliance, Berisha said, "Albania is a small country, but it is resolved to give all its necessary contributions to peace missions and the fight against terrorism that the alliance will undertake."

He said that being a NATO member would be helpful for Albania to join the European Union.

Describing the EU membership as a major issue for Albania, Berisha said: "I am sure that being a full-fledged member of NATO will be an asset in our efforts to join the EU."