European Commission President Romano Prodi told Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo that the European Union (EU) hopes substantial results will be produced at the Sino-EU technical negotiations here on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In a meeting with Wu who is on a visit to the EU and Belgium, Prodi said the EU has been actively supporting China's early accession to the WTO. "We hope the bilateral talks on China's WTO bid could gain substantial results," Prodi said.

The relations between the EU and China are very good, Prodi told Wu, adding that it is vital for both sides to promote a balanced development in the world by enhancing constructive partnership relations.

Prodi stressed that the two sides need to develop ties in both economic and political fields. "The world situation, to a great extent, lies in the development of EU-China relations," Prodi said.

Wu said the EU needs to make a political decision as soon as possible so that an agreement on China's WTO accession could be reached. Such an agreement will be of vital importance for EU-China relations, he added.

A Chinese delegation led by chief negotiator Long Yongtu started two-day talks this morning with an EU team led by EU executive's Director-General for Trade Hans-Friedrich Beseler.

Beseler told a German newspaper Sunday that the negotiations will be finished at the beginning of March and China will not become a full WTO member until summer. (Xinhua)