Hopes are high for the European Union and China to reach an agreement on China's accession to the World Trade Organization, said an optimistic Endymion Wilkinson, ambassador of the EU Commission Delegation to China.

Wilkinson made the remarks at a press briefing on EU-China human resource cooperation programs today, following talks between Chinese and EU negotiators in Brussels from January 24 to 26.

Wilkinson said the talks went "pretty well," achieving "substantial results," and that he has "high hopes" for an agreement to be reached concerning China's entry into the WTO.

If a second round of talks in late February ends with satisfactory results between the EU and China, Wilkinson said, "commissioners responsible will be ready to sign a deal."