The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell extended heartfelt condolences to China over the recent flooding disasters in the country and emphasized the EU’s firm commitment to developing a good relationship with China during a phone call on Sunday with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
EU’s foreign policy chief Borrell stressed that the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda is not in opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative, but the two are complementary to each other. Both initiatives aim at promoting global development.
Wang said high-level exchanges between China and the EU are currently maintaining a good momentum, and both sides believe that cooperation is the most important feature of China-Europe relations.
Wang noted that China has been consistently promoting China-EU relations with a positive attitude, attaching great importance to the scheduled China-EU leaders’ summit later this year. China expects that the summit to play a strategic guiding role in the China-EU relations and their bilateral cooperation.
Wang also said that both China and the EU should engage in more institutionalized dialogues to make up for the lack of communication between the two sides during the three years of the pandemic. This will inject new strong momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU.
Additionally, China welcomes Borrell’s visit to China this autumn and a strategic dialogue to be held by both sides. Through the extensive and in-depth exchanges, both sides will make political preparations for the China-EU leaders’ summit, Wang said.
Moreover, Wang and Borrell also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, such as issues regarding Ukraine and Niger.
(Global Times)
