DUBLIN, June 17 -- Ireland is eager to expand its export of livestock products to China, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Tuesday.

"The Irish government stands ready to actively push forward the economic cooperation between our two countries, and is eager to see an accelerated solution to the Irish exports of livestock products to China," Kenny said during a meeting with Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Kenny said Ireland attaches great importance to its relations with China, especially at a time when Dublin is confronted with economic restructuring despite the passage of the most difficult time in a sovereign debt crisis.

"To develop closer partnership with China is a priority in Ireland's overall foreign policy," he said. "It would deliver a strong boost to the recovery of the Irish economy by strengthening economic and trade cooperation with China."

Echoing Kenny, Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China is willing to work together with Ireland to grasp the opportunity to deepen the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

"China is also restructuring its economy. There is huge potential and bright prospects for the cooperation of our two countries," he said.

Ireland is the third leg of Liu's ongoing four-nation Europe tour, which has taken him to Denmark and Finland, and will conclude in Portugal.