Key points of China-EU joint press statement
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-08 09:28

China and the European Union issued a joint press statement on May 6 at the end of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the EU headquarters.

The following are key points of the document.

-- Leaders from both sides agreed that both China and the EU are at important stages in their respective development. They had fruitful exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest and discussed the importance of further strengthening cooperation and working together to safeguard and promote world peace, stability and development.

-- The Chinese leader noted the ongoing discussions within the EU on the possible lifting of an embargo on arms sales to China and hoped that a decision on its lifting would be made as soon as possible so as to further enhance the political trust and cooperation between the two sides.

-- China and the EU should endeavor to maintain international security on the basis of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation; uphold the vital role of the United Nations in maintaining peace, stability and security and promoting sustainable development throughout the world, and promote multilateralism and democracy in international relations.

-- European Commission (EC) President Romano Prodi reaffirmed the EU's continued adherence to the one-China policy, and expressed its hope for a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue through constructive dialogue. The Chinese side appreciated the EU's commitment to the one-China policy and reiterated its principle and position on the Taiwan issue.

-- The leaders agreed that the continuing China-EU human rights dialogue had facilitated mutual understanding and they expressed their readiness to further strengthen cooperation and communication in the area of human rights on the basis of equality and mutual respect. They reconfirmed their commitment to working toward achieving more meaningful and positive results.

-- The leaders agreed that some new agreements like the China-EC Agreement on Customs and Mutual Administrative Assistance and the Joint Declaration on Galileo Cooperation would contribute significantly to cooperation between China and the EU.

-- The leaders called for reinforced cooperation on combating illegal migration.

-- The leaders agreed that growth of bilateral trade and economic relations in quantitative terms should be matched by an improvement in quality.

-- They reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting a strong rules-based multilateral trading system. They agreed to deepen their bilateral cooperation to jointly contribute to the successful continuation and conclusion of the round of multilateral trade negotiations launched in Doha.

-- They also welcomed the launch of the new Trade Policy Dialogue on multilateral, regional and bilateral issues, the first meeting of which will take place in June 2004, and the establishment of the China-EU Textiles Trade Dialogue.

-- While acknowledging the efforts already made by China in the area of WTO compliance, Prodi reiterated the EU's hope that China would make more progress in this regard. The Chinese side emphasized that it would continue its efforts in ensuring China's WTO compliance.

-- The Chinese side reiterated its request for an early solution of the full market economy status issue while emphasizing China's efforts and achievements in developing a market economy. Prodi confirmed that a preliminary assessment of this issue, without prejudice to the final result, would be transmitted to the Chinese side by the end of June 2004.

-- The leaders reaffirmed China and the EU's joint commitment to environmental protection, and expressed their willingness to deepen practical cooperation in this area, notably through the EC's development assistance program.

-- The leaders also agreed to enhance the dialogue mechanism in the area of energy strategy, policy, development and reform.

-- The leaders welcomed the entry into force, on May 1, 2004, of the landmark Agreement on Approved Destination Status, which will facilitate Chinese group tourism to Europe.

-- The leaders also agreed that the EU's new Erasmus Mundus Program which promotes exchanges in higher education should include a specific "China Window," so as to enhance educational partnership and the flow of students, especially Chinese students coming to Europe.

-- The leaders looked forward to the seventh China-EU summit, to be held in the Netherlands under the forthcoming Dutch presidency of the EU later this year. This would provide another important opportunity to further deepen the strategic partnership.

-- The leaders agreed that celebrations should be held next year on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.

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