Chinese premier to attend China-EU summit

BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the 11th summit between China and the European Union in Prague in the Czech Republic on May 20, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Sunday.

"We believe the summit would enhance mutual trust and reciprocal cooperation, and push forward Sino-EU relations," said Ma.

He said China attached importance to relations with the EU, supported its integration process and welcomed its bigger role in international affairs.

The annual summit is a high-level political consultative mechanism between China and the EU. The 11th summit was originally set for last December but it was postponed because of a meeting between the Dalai Lama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Poland while France was holding the rotating EU presidency.

The EU and China announced during Premier Wen's Europe tour this February a willingness to hold the postponed summit. The date was decided by both some months later.

Leaders will exchange views on Sino-EU relations and major international and regional issues at the summit, said Ma.

They would also sign important documents on cooperation, Ma added.

China and the EU established diplomatic ties in 1975, and expanded it to a comprehensive and strategic partnership in 2003. Up to now, the two sides have set up over 50 consultation and dialogue mechanisms covering political, trade, scientific, energy and environment areas.

Ma said under the current circumstances, it was significant for China and the EU to work together to cope with the financial crisis and climate change.

"This is in line with the fundamental interest of both and conducive to lasting peace and the sustainable development of the world," he said.