「人民網日本語版」2007年1月18日

中国とEU、パートナーシップ協定締結交渉を開始

  李肇星外交部長は17日、訪中した欧州連合（EU）のヴァルトナー対外関係担当委員と会談し、パートナーシップ協定締結交渉の正式な開始を宣言した。同協定は、1985年締結の「貿易経済協力協定」に代わり、中・欧関係発展の「大綱領」となる。年間数千億ドルに及ぶ貿易関係のほか、農業・交通・教育・科学技術・情報・安全保障・テロ対策・環境・エネルギーなど、すでに対話・協力を実施している22分野をカバーする見込み。

  李部長は会談で（１）各レベルの政治対話・協議を引き続き強化し、政治的な相互信頼を深める（２）パートナーシップ協定締結交渉の前向きな進展に努力する（３）経済貿易・科学技術・農業・教育など各分野の協力を積極的に拡大・深化する（４）双方間の意見相違を適切に処理する――の4点を成し遂げる必要を指摘した。

  ヴァルトナー委員は「現在は欧中関係の発展にとって最良の時期だ。パートナーシップ協定の交渉と締結は欧中関係の現実に合い、関係の重要性を体現している。政治・経済・貿易関係の発展に、全面的な基盤を提供するだろう」と指摘。中国側と共に努力し、現在の世界のさまざまな試練に対処し、発展の過程で直面するエネルギー安全保障・公正貿易・気候変動などの問題を効果的に解決していく意向を表明した。

chinaview 2007-01-17

China, EU officially launch talks on PCA

　　China and the European Union (EU) announced on Wednesday the official launch of talks on a new pact, an apparent effort from the two sides to reinforce their strategic partnership.

    The announcement of the launch of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA), was made at a joint press conference held by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and visiting EU counterpart Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

    "The agreement will provide a comprehensive basis covering the whole range of the political, economic and trade relationship between China and the European Union," Waldner said.

    She told reporters that the new agreement would cover 22 sectors, including energy, environment, trade and human rights.

    In September 2006 in Helsinki, the EU and China agreed to launch talks on the PCA to update the 1985 Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, which currently constitutes the legal basis governing EU-China relations.

    "I agree with Waldner's comments, that China and the EU are not only trade partners, but all-round strategic partners. We share broad common interests and common positions," said Li.

    He said the joint efforts of China and the EU will also be conducive to world peace and common development.

    Waldner, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy, said that the new pact would reflect all the changes in the bilateral relationship since 1985.

    In September 2006, the EU and China agreed in Helsinki to launch the talks on the PCA aimed to update the 1985 Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, which currently constitutes the legal basis governing EU-China relations.

    Earlier in the day, the EU office in Beijing announced the creation of a new Europe-China law school in China and other projects such as offering training program to Chinese managers.

    During his talks with Waldner, Li said, "We should continue to increase political dialogue to enhance mutual trust, actively expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, science and technology, agriculture and education, and properly handle any differences that arise between the two sides," said Li.

    Li also expressed his appreciation for the EU's adherence to the one-China policy.

    "I hope the EU side can make concerted efforts with China to combat Taiwan independence and jointly safeguard the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, in the Asian and Pacific region and the whole world," Li said.

    Waldner noted that the PCA would provide an overall foundation for the development of bilateral political, economic and trade relations.

    She said China and the European Union are important newly-emerging forces in the world enjoying fast growth, and now is the best time to develop the bilateral relations.

    The European Union is willing to work with China to handle various global challenges and solve problems such as energy security, fair trade and climate change, said Waldner.