Premier Li Keqiang met with Vice-President of the European Commission and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Beijing on Oct 24.

Premier Li praised Mogherini for her efforts on deepening the China-EU relationship. He said China and the EU have extensive common interests. China always supports European integration and is willing to see a united and prosperous EU, he added.

As the new leadership of the EU is about to take office, Premier Li said he hopes the two sides will continue to maintain multilateralism and free trade and uphold mutual respect and equality.

He hopes that both sides will implement the consensus reached at the 21st China-EU leaders’ meeting, accelerate negotiations on the geographical indications agreement, complete the China-EU investment agreement talks on schedule next year, carry on two-way opening-up and focus on common development.

The two sides should maintain close communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and promote China-EU relationship and cooperation to a higher level, Premier Li said.

Mogherini said that the China-EU leaders’ meeting in April was successful and the outcomes reached at the meeting are actively implemented.

The year 2020 will be important for Sino-EU relations, she said, stressing that the new EU leadership will maintain its policies toward China and continue to consider its relations with China a priority in its foreign policies.

The EU will deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in all aspects and strengthen cooperation on global and regional issues such as climate change, the Iran nuclear issue, Afghanistan and Africa, to contribute more to world peace and development.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting.