China, France urge EU to lift arms ban
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-26 15:55
The leaders of China and France on Thursday called on the European Union to
lift its arms embargo against China that has been in place since 1989 and grant
China market economy status.
"The two sides believe that the European
Union should take the EU-China expanding partnership into full consideration,
most notably by lifting the arms embargo which is no longer pertinent to the
present situation," said a joint statement signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao
and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac after their talks in Beijing.
The joint statement also called on the European Union to grant China
market economy status as soon as possible.
The two leaders vowed to
continue their efforts to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between
China and the European Union, according to the joint statement.
They also agreed that, in order to
solve the problems that have emerged in the China-EU trade relations, both China
and the European Union should conduct dialogue and negotiations based on an
equal footing and in accordance with WTO regulations.
UN Security Council
cooperation
China and France will further strengthen communication and
cooperation in the UN Security Council to solve regional issues, said
the joint statement.
The statement said the two sides are happy
with their close cooperation at the Security Council and on regional issues, and
will make further efforts in this regard.
Both sides are satisfied with
their participation in the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon, and hope the conflict
in Lebanon can be permanently settled.
The two countries also called for
adherence to Resolution 1696 passed by the Security Council on the Iran nuclear
issue, according to the joint statement.
The joint statement said the
two countries will keep in close and regular contact and work to find a peaceful
solution of the Iran nuclear issue.
China and France also expressed
serious concern over the nuclear test announced by the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) on October 9, saying the test goes against the goal of
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as efforts of the
international community to strengthen international non-proliferation.
The joint statement said the two countries support the Security Council
Resolution 1718, and urge the DPRK to abide by its commitment to
denuclearization of the peninsula.
The two sides hope all parties will
stick to peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue through dialogue and
consultation, and strive for an early resumption of the six-party talks, the
joint statement said.
The two countries also agree to keep close
consultation and work together to realize denuclearization, peace and stability
of the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia.
Chirac is in China on a
four-day state visit at the invitation of Hu Jintao.
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