China, EU agree to safeguard Iran nuclear deal

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Frederica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

BANGKOK, Aug. 1 -- China and the European Union (EU) on Thursday agreed to continue safeguarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, during a meeting here Thursday between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Regarding the Iran nuclear issue, both sides also agreed to safeguard the United Nations-centered multilateralism and oppose the campaign of "maximum pressure," while calling on relevant parties to maintain restraint and prevent the escalation of the situation.

With regard to the China-EU ties, Wang said China is pleased to see the successful change of leadership of the EU institutions, and expects the EU to achieve greater achievement in promoting integration and addressing challenges.

China will maintain the stability and continuity of its policies toward the EU and provide continuous support in the European integration process, for the unity and growth of the EU, and a more important role by Europe in international affairs, Wang said.

China hopes that the new EU institutions will also maintain continuous and forward-looking policies towards China, he said.

China is willing to join hands with EU to actively implement the outcome of meetings between Chinese and EU leaders, follow the right direction of China-EU relations, enhance communication and cooperation, and push forward the democratization of international relations and multi-polarization of the world, safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and jointly push for greater development of China-EU relations in the new era, said Wang.

For her part, Mogherini said the new EU leadership will continue attaching importance to relations with China, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China and implement the leaders' consensus, so as to expand EU-China connectivity and advance the healthy and stable development of EU-China relations.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues including the Afghanistan issue.