EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana said
Wednesday that the discussions on lifting arms embargo against
China within the European Union (EU) are "on right track," but he
could not tell the "exact date" for the lifting at present.
"I don't think lifting arms embargo is a big problem (for the EU
and China)" said Solana, adding that the issue is only "a question"
that is being discussed by the two sides.
After a meeting with Guan Chengyuan, head of the Chinese Mission
to the European Communities, Solana told some Chinese media that
the EU-China partnership has profound and broad content.
He noted that a mechanism of regular meetings of leaders between
the EU and China has been set up, adding that apart from the
leaders' meeting for this year, there will be frequent exchanges of
visits between the senior officials from both sides.
Solana also expressed willingness to foster up not only good
relations between the EU and the Chinese government, but good
personal relations between the EU leaders and the Chinese leaders
as well.
On January 26, the EU foreign ministers' meeting discussed the
issue of lifting arms ban on China, and the ministers demanded the
working groups under the EU Council examine the issue and then
report to the ministers.
(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2004)