Senior diplomats: Premier Wen's Europe visit to deepen China-EU ties

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said Tuesday Premier Wen Jiabao's Europe trip aims to promote the two sides' comprehensive strategic relationship.
Fu made the remarks at a press briefing at which she and Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun briefed the press about Wen's upcoming visit to Europe.
Wen will pay an official visit to Greece, Belgium, Italy and Turkey from Oct. 2 to 9 at the invitations of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Wen will attend the eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the 13th China-European Union (EU) summit from Oct. 4 to 6 as guest of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
The Greece visit is the first by a Chinese premier in 24 years. During his stay, Wen will meet George Papandreou and discuss China-Greece relations. The two leaders will also witness the signing of several cooperation agreements. Wen will also deliver a speech in the Greek parliament on China-Greece relations and China-EU relations.
"Coping with the financial crisis will be an important topic for talks between Wen and Greek leaders. We have a positive attitude about the measures taken by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. We have noticed that the Greek government has adopted measures which have been effective. We hope Greece will recover soon from the difficulties," Fu said.
Speaking highly of the role Belgium has played in promoting China-EU relations during its rotating presidency, Fu said China-EU relations will be on the top agenda of Wen's meeting with Belgian leaders.
Wen will hold talks with Yves Leterme and meet King Albert II. The two countries will also sign deals on nuclear energy.
During Wen's visit to Italy, he will have talks with Silvio Berlusconi and meet President of the Italian Senate Renato Schifani, and President of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini. Premier Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the Chinese Culture Year.
"There are lots of cooperation programs between China and Italy, especially in technology, environmental protection and trade. The two countries will sign some new deals during Wen's visit and some documents to map out future cooperation," Fu said.
According to Zhai, Wen will hold talks with Recep Tayyip Erdogan and meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul during his visit to Turkey from Oct. 7 to 9.
He will also meet people from business circles and hold seminars with people from cultural circles.
"China-Turkey relations have witnessed smooth development, and the two countries cooperate fruitfully in many areas. Cooperation in such areas as investment, transportation and energy are progressing steadily. The two countries also carry out frequent exchange between governments, parliaments, local governments and non-governmental organizations," Zhai said.
He said China and Turkey are two important developing countries, which share a broad common interest in maintaining world peace and promoting common development.
China hopes Wen's visit will help the two countries map out a blueprint for the future development of bilateral relations.
As for the eighth ASEM, Fu said it is an informal, trans-regional platform for dialogue and cooperation.
The ASEM summit, under the theme "Quality of Life: Achieving Greater Well-being and More Dignity for all Citizens," will focus on global finance and economic governance, sustainable development, and social and cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.
The upcoming ASEM Summit will also admit three new members - Russia, Australia and New Zealand.
Fu said Wen will propose a series of initiatives during the ASEM summit.
She said China expects the ASEM summit to promote a balanced and sustainable recovery in the world economy.
China also hopes the meeting will step up climate change efforts and safeguard the peace and stability of Asia and Europe, she said.
As for the 13th China-EU summit, the first one between Chinese and EU leaders since the Lisbon Treaty took effect, Fu said China hopes the summit will be a new starting point for China-EU relations.
The focus of the meeting is the future direction of China-EU relations from the strategic perspective, the vice foreign minister said.
Besides the 13th China-EU summit, Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the China-EU Business Summit and a high-level China-EU culture forum.
During his stay in Brussels, Wen will have several meetings with EU leaders. He will hold talks with Barroso and Van Rompuy. He will also meet with Eurogroup Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and Olli Rehn, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs.
China-EU relations have enjoyed smooth development in recent times with frequent exchanges.
Last year, Premier Wen paid two visits to Europe, which "strengthened the confidence of both sides to jointly cope with the financial crisis," Fu said.
This year, a string of senior EU leaders also visited China, including Barroso, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.
China-EU trade has witnessed remarkable growth this year.
Bilateral trade volume for the first eight months exceeded 300 billion U.S. dollars, up 36.2 percent compared with the same period last year.
"The main aim of the summit is to exchange views on major issues. It is not surprising China and the European Union have some disputes given their different situations, culture and history. The two sides should have candid discussions about these disputes and not impose one's own opinion on the other," Fu said.
She said Wen's visit will promote the political relationship between China and the European Union, as well as relations between China and the four European countries.
Fu stressed "there is no change in China's support for the EU making strong policy to overcome its sovereign debt crisis."
"The EU and the whole of Europe are important partners for China, so it is important for China that they maintain a stable economic recovery. We will continue to do what we can to support the EU and European countries and provide assistance," she said.
The vice foreign minister also reiterated that China will not reduce its euro holdings, adding that it will take effective measures to maintain the stability of international financial markets.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese, Spanish PMs discuss boosting bilateral trade links over phoneChinese Premier meets Russian President in BeijingChinese, Spanish PMs discuss boosting bilateral trade links over phoneChinese Premier to visit four nations, attend 8th ASEMChina to step up vocational training to boost employment: Premier WenChina to step up vocational training to boost employment: Premier Wen Chinese Premier meets Russian President in BeijingChinese Premier to visit four nations, attend 8th ASEMChinese premier promotes peace, development, cooperation on UN visit: FMChinese Premier back home from UN conferences