The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will visit Beijing 16-18 January, to launch negotiations for a new Partnership and Co operation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and China, delivering on the commitment made by European and Chinese leaders at the EU-China Summit in Helsinki in September 2006. To mark this important step in EU-China relations, she will meet leading members of the Chinese administration, including the second highest ranking Chinese Leader, Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, and Trade minister Bo Xilai. The new PCA will encompass the full scope of bilateral relations with China, including enhanced co operation in political matters, and will update the existing 1985 Trade and Economic Co operation Agreement. During her trip the Commissioner will also take the opportunity to underscore the importance of co operation on energy security and the environment.
On the eve of her visit Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: “The EU prizes its relationship with China very highly. This strategic partnership is key to achieving progress in our goals, from global security to addressing climate change. Together we represent almost one third of the world’s population. How we act, how we assume our responsibilities, and how we co operate together, makes a difference to the whole planet. That is why it is so important that we should work together, for a safer, more stable and peaceful world”.
She added: “Twenty years ago, the EU and China were trading partners. Now we are strategic partners with a huge range of co operation activities. I am proud to launch negotiations for a new agreement that will reflect the reality of today’s partnership and provide a base for us to further deepen our relationship. China is changing with unbelievable speed; the EU is evolving too. Let’s harness the dynamism of these two emerging giants in the interests of all our people. The EU is eager to get down to work quickly and start working on the substance of this new deal”.
Following discussions with some of the most senior figures in the government, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will launch the negotiations for the new PCA with Foreign Minister Li on 17th January. In addition to trade, the agreement will provide a comprehensive framework for the 22 sectors in which the EU and China already hold dialogues, including energy, the environment, agriculture, transport, customs, education, information society, science and technology, space co operation, and will cover other key issues such as sustainable development, migration, and international challenges such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
Energy security and climate change are priorities for the EU in 2007. Neither can be effectively addressed without China. The EU and China are developing important co operation in these fields: our rolling work programme to implement the Climate Change Partnership is a very positive step, which hopefully will lead to further joint initiatives; we are co operating on a Near Zero Emissions Coal Project sharing important technology on carbon capture and storage; and, there is a lot to gain by aligning our positions as major consumers of energy, particularly on the issue of energy security. As we begin our new dedicated dialogue on Africa, energy security and sustainable development will also be high on the agenda.
During the trip the Commissioner will discuss international and the regional political situations, including North Korea, Iran, Burma/Myanmar and the Middle East.
The Commissioner will raise human rights issues, noting some improvements in human rights undertaken recently by the Chinese government. She will also recall continuing EU concerns, underlining the importance of dialogue, and our Human Rights Dialogue in particular, but also the need for continued progress.
For more information please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/china/intro/index.htm
