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China, EU vow to deepen cooperation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-31 09:11


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks at a joint press conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso held after their talks at European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 30, 2009. [Xinhua] 

They agreed to strengthen cooperation in crisis management, to help implement the UN's Millennium Development Goals and to promote sustainable development across the world.

China and the EU promised to enhance coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, to promote the UN's prominent role in dealing with international affairs and advocate the resolution of disputes through dialogue, says the document.

The declaration says the leaders recalled the path of development of China-EU relations and were happy with the achievements of bilateral cooperation. China-EU relations have not only promoted development in the two regions, but also made important contributions to world peace and prosperity, says the declaration.

During his visit to the EU headquarters, the second after his first trip to Brussels in 2004, Wen held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and met EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana. He also had a luncheon with EU leaders, including Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country holds the current EU presidency.

The two sides announced that a China-EU summit will be held as soon as possible. The summit, which was originally scheduled for December last year, was postponed after French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country at that time held the rotating EU presidency, met the Dalai Lama, who is regarded as a separatist by China.

China and the EU also signed nine agreements, covering health, customs, education, intellectual property rights, environment and civil aviation.