Brussels, 06/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - During the visit of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Tuesday 5 May, the EU and China agreed to cooperate more on big international issues.
This meeting, which came as part of the high level EU-China strategic dialogue, enabled preparations to be made for the next bilateral summit that will be held in Brussels in June and that will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Euro-Chinese diplomatic relations.
“Forty years is the time for maturity in a relationship. This means that we are ready to take stock of the achievements we have made, to face the differences - and sometimes also the difficulties - of a relationship, but also able to overcome them in a spirit of mutual cooperation”, Mogherini said during a joint press conference. “We have a very strong and solid framework for dialogue on different levels, on different subjects. We have a complete understanding of the fact that we can play a joint role on regional and global challenges and issues, for the mutual benefit of our people. Even if geographically we are far away from each other, still we all know very well that global issues have no borders”, she added.
As regards international politics, the two parties discussed the possibility of strengthening cooperation on security and defence. Mogherini stressed the success of this cooperation in fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden. The parties also discussed the situation in Iraq, Syria and Libya, “where the EU and China share common interests and where our joint efforts could make a real difference”, Mogherini said. She also informed Yang about the EU's follow up as part of the migratory crisis in the Mediterranean - including the fight against trafficking and smuggling organisations, highlighting the prevention of poverty and conflicts. “China has obviously a very important role to play in this respect, not only as a key partner for us, but also as a permanent member of the UN Security Council”, she said.
The two parties also agreed to improve communication and coordination on big global issues such as the Iranian nuclear programme, Yang stated. China is involved alongside the US, Russia, Germany, France and the UK in obtaining an agreement with Iran on guaranteeing the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear activities. Mogherini hailed the “precious role” that China played in these negotiations - which finished with a framework agreement in early April.
As regards the climate, Mogherini said the EU and China should ensure success at the UN conference in Paris in December. “This is a common and joint responsibility”, she stated, saying that “the EU appreciates very much the role that China has been playing”. “I am sure that the target that China will announce regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 will send a positive message to the international community. I am also sure that at the summit we will be able to agree on a common approach which can contribute to the success of the negotiations in Paris”, she added.
As regards trade, Mogherini thought the summit in Brussels would be the opportunity to give fresh momentum to their bilateral relations. “Since the creation of our strategic partnership in 2003, our trade has more than quadrupled”, she said.
By contrast, the area of human rights remains a delicate issue to be tackled with Beijing. With her discussions with representatives from the Chinese administration due to continue on Tuesday evening and Wednesday, Mogherini stated during a press conference that she expected “a constructive exchange on human rights issues, but also on the importance of fostering dialogue with and between different ethnic groups, as well as of enabling civil society activity”. Yang suggested in reply that some issues had not been discussed. “It would be unlikely that we have identical points of view on every issue”, he said, underlining the need for “mutual respect”. Last week several NGOs urged Mogherini to address openly the worsening Chinese human rights climate with Beijing, as well as the crackdown China is making on protesters, lawyers, journalists and voices that are critical of the regime.
Donald Tusk's letter on 40 years of diplomatic relations. In a letter to China's President Xi Jinping, European Council President Donald Tusk said he wished the nations and peoples of China and the EU “every success in continuing on this path and in raising the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level”. “The EU is committed to working constructively together to advance the causes of peace, security, prosperity, rule of law, social justice, green development and human rights. We are confident that the implementation of the EU-China 2020 strategic agenda for cooperation will strengthen EU-China exchanges for the benefit of all”, Tusk concluded. (Emmanuel Hagry)