BRUSSELS, Jan. 27 -- China and the European Union (EU) agreed to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership at their fourth round of high-level strategic dialogue on Monday.

The EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation agreed upon by Chinese and European leaders after their meeting in Beijing in November last year had set the direction for future development of their ties, said Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

The major decision adopted by the Chinese government recently to deepen reforms coincided with the European efforts to get out of the debt crisis, according to Yang.

"The decade to come opens a new window of strategic opportunities" for the growth of China-EU ties, Yang said.

Efforts should be made to enhance both sides' mutual trust, he said, adding that the two sides should do more to support each other's development and deepen their pragmatic cooperation in a bid to boost their economic growth as well as upgrade their ties.

Ashton, for her part, said that the strategic significance of the EU-China cooperation was shown in the development of their relations in recent years.

She thanked China for its support in helping Europe dealing with the crisis, and pledged more coordination with China in regional and international issues.

In a separate meeting, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the Europe-China relations were in a new stage of mature and stable development.

He pledged efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in maintaining the exchange of high-level visits and deepening the pragmatic cooperation with China.

He praised the role China had played as a responsible major player in the world arena, and expressed willingness to enhance cooperation with China on issues concerning Iran, Syria and Afghanistan.