Verklaring Van Rompuy na overleg met Chinese vicepremier (en)

Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy after his meeting with Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Keqiang

I held today a very fruitful meeting with Vice Premier Li Keqiang, whom I've already had the pleasure to meet at the last EU-China Summit in February in Beijing

With Vice Premier Li we looked at the EU-China strategic relations which become increasingly comprehensive. He gave me his positive assessment on the progress of our bilateral agenda. He also expressed his full confidence and support for the euro area ability to cope with the sovereign debt crisis

Less than three months after the last summit the EU and China are delivering on concrete initiatives, thanks to joint efforts on both sides. Last week the new People to People dialogue was launched in Brussels; today another two chapters of our cooperation, on Urbanisation and on Energy, are unfolding

I underlined to the Vice Premier that our dialogue on human rights remains key and an essential part of our relations. I welcome the decision to hold the next round of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue at the end of May. I expressed my hope that it will provide the opportunity for substantial exchanges on these important issues

With Vice Premier Li Keqiang, we had also a very stimulating exchange on the state of world economy and the common challenges ahead of the upcoming G20 in Mexico to promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth

Dirk De Backer - Spokesperson of the President - ( +32 (0)2 281 9768 - +32 (0)497 59 99 19 Jesüs Carmona - Deputy Spokesperson of the President - ( +32 (0)2 281 9548 / 5150 - +32 (0)475 65 32 15

press.president(g),consilium.europa.eu http://www.consilium.europa.eu/

We finally exchanged views on pressing international issues, such as the situation in Syria, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iran. We shared the view that the EU and China should keep working together to deepen our relationship in the future, and that our next summit with China likely in the fall should be an occasion to further our cooperation

EUC