EU-China Ministerial Troika in Vienna on 3 February

The meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing, is expected to cover EU-China bilateral relations, including preparations for a new Partnership and Cooperation agreement and trade issues. Human rights, and international and regional affairs, will also be discussed.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: �The strengthening of the EU�s relationship with China will be crucial in meeting global challenges such as climate change, security and non � proliferation. China�s recent economic growth has been spectacular and the economic benefits of our partnership for both European and Chinese citizens can not be underestimated. China has taken important strides in opening up to the world, and the EU is well placed to work with China in encouraging further political and economic reforms.�

The EU-China Troika, will build on the work of the first EU-China strategic dialogue which was held in London in December 2005 and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will make clear her confidence in the developing partnership. She will stress her wish to see negotiations for a new Framework Agreement launched as soon as possible and will reiterate the EU�s interest in a bilateral readmission agreement with China.

On trade, the EU will underline the importance of ensuring that there is improved market access for both European and Chinese goods and services through full implementation of WTO market access commitments. The EU will fully support China to become a full market economy provided that China is active in the process.

The EU will raise developments in the area of human rights and will encourage the early ratification by China of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Taiwan and progress on cross-Straits issues will also be discussed. Other international and regional issues to be raised include North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East and East Asian regional integration.