You're reading: Mogherini to discuss Ukraine with China

Beijing – European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini has said crises in Ukraine and other global hotspots will be on the agenda at talks in Beijing on May 5, Chinese state media reported.

Mogherini is leading an EU delegation attending a regular strategic dialogue with top Chinese officials, a forum in which the two sides exchange views and develop political and economic relations.

Beijing is seeking a greater role on the world diplomatic stage and Mogherini told the official Xinhua news agency she was looking forward to “discussing how we can enhance our cooperation to bring an end to a number of crises and how we can prevent others”.

“This should be a new way of dealing with complexity: thinking strategically, looking at worrying signs that emerge and trying to prevent crises,” she added.

Xinhua said Mogherini was referring to events in Ukraine, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Libya.

China is part of international negotiations aimed at containing Iran’s nuclear programme, involving Tehran and the so-called P5+1 – Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany.

The EU foreign policy chief stressed that the EU and China have begun to develop defence and security ties, with an emphasis so far on combating threats to international shipping.

“We will discuss how we can build on our successful cooperation on fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and enhance our coordination in addressing the root causes of piracy,” she said.