BRUSSELS. June 3 (Interfax-Ukraine) – European Council President Donald Tusk has called the negotiations with Prime Minister of China Li Keqiang at the EU-China summit fruitful and constructive, and emphasized the importance that Brussels attaches to these relations.
“Our cooperation is broad and continues to broaden and strengthen on issues like trade and investment, climate change, the migration crisis, North Korea, and a security partnership in Africa. We share many interests,” he said at a press conference after a top level meeting noting the strategic nature of the EU-China cooperation.
The most important thing, in Tusk’s opinion, is that the EU and China share a fundamental interest in upholding and strengthening the rules-based international system.
“For example, respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine has been our common position since 2015. And in these difficult times we have a joint responsibility to protect this system and demonstrate its added value in all aspects of our relations,” the EU Council stressed.
He also said that the EU steps up its cooperation with China in the field of climate change.
“Today, we are stepping up our cooperation on climate change with China. Which means that today, China and Europe have demonstrated solidarity with future generations and responsibility for the whole planet. We are convinced that yesterday’s decision by the United States to leave the Paris Agreement is a big mistake, bigger than not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, because Paris is fairer. But the fight against climate change, and all the research, innovation and technological progress it will bring, will continue, with or without the U.S.,” Tusk said.
He also said EU and China share a common interest in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, de-escalation of tensions and for North Korea to comply with its international obligations and abandon all nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
“We count on China’s continued support to achieve these objectives,” Tusk said.
