BIZCHINA / Voice |
EU-China talks mark growing maturityBy Benita Ferrero-Waldner (China Daily)Updated: 2007-01-17 15:54 As we look forward to the Year of the Pig, we are all hoping for good things: greater prosperity for ourselves and for others, peace in the world, progress in tackling the challenges that face us.
This week I am visiting Beijing to launch negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and China an agreement that I believe will contribute to a better future for millions of people. Together the EU and China make up almost one third of the people on the planet. When we act together it has an impact not only on our own bilateral relationship but on the wider world. We are building a strategic partnership that already has a strong base: Europe is China's biggest trading partner. We are both committed to strong and effective multilateral institutions. We both recognize the need for a coordinated response to global challenges like climate change. Two emerging giants And we are both emerging giants. China is changing before our eyes, almost
literally. Spectacular economic growth has been harnessed to raise more people
out of poverty more rapidly than ever before. The European Union is growing in
size and in its capacity to act on the world stage. We are both gaining in
influence and responsibility. And the truth is that whether we are talking about
international challenges like nuclear proliferation, or the environment, or fair
trade, neither of us will fully realize our objectives without a firm and
effective partnership with the other.
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