Chinese FM meets EU foreign, security policy chief

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on April 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

BRUSSELS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here Tuesday with High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on the sidelines of the China-EU leaders' meeting.

Wang said the high-level strategic dialogue held between him and Mogherini not long ago had made necessary preparation for the China-EU leaders' meeting. With concerted efforts, China and the EU have reached agreement on their joint statement issued Tuesday, he added.

The statement, wide-ranging and fruitful, represents the high level of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, the various consensus they have accumulated, the solidarity and cooperation between the two sides as well as the spirit of mutual benefits and win-win, he said.

"We have designed the road map for future China-EU relations and clarified the development direction," Wang said.

Expecting a successful EU-China leaders' meeting, Mogherini expressed appreciation for the work both teams had done for the joint statement. She said the EU is ready to work with China for further development of their ties.

The two sides also had in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern including Afghanistan, Venezuela, and the Korean Peninsula.