EU vows to strengthen partnership with China

Beijing(China)—European Union (EU) foreign ministers adopted a conclusion document on Monday on its relations with China, vowing to boost the strategic partnership between two sides.
“The (EU) Council is strongly committed to the maturing of the EU’s comprehensive strategic partnership with China,” said the document issued by the foreign ministers, who gathered in Brussels for a two-day meeting.
On Monday, the ministers discussed the EU-China relations in general as the European Commission (EC) has tabled a policy paper on the EU-China relations, according to EU Council spokesman Nicolas Kerleroux.
“For this partnership to develop to its full potential, it must be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial,” said the seven-page document, which is titled “Council Conclusions on EU-China Strategic Partnership.”
The ministers extended their hope for “timely” conclusion of its talks with China on the new Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), which is aimed to replace the current trade-focused one signed in 1985.
The ministers noted that the future pact should encompass the “full scope of the bilateral relationship, including further strengthening of co-operation in political, trade and investment issues.”
Earlier in October, European Commission, the EU’s executive, issued a policy paper on EU-China relations titled “EU-China: Closer partners, growing responsibilities,” which has set the priorities for the future agreement. EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will visit China on January 16 and formally launch the talks on the PCA.
China is making active efforts to make preparations for the negotiations with a view to reaching consensus on the framework agreement as soon as possible, said Guan Yuancheng, Chinese ambassador to the EU delegation. The ministers appreciated China’s constructive role in the Korean and Iranian nuclear issues and its active assistance to Africa.
They recognized the Chinese Government’s success in developing economy and reducing poverty, hailing China’s recent proposal of building “harmonious society.”
The ministers also discussed the arms embargo against China over the lunch, reaffirming their willingness to “carry forward work towards lifting the arms embargo.”

—Daily Mail, People’s Daily news exchange item