Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing Tuesday with Javier Solana, secretary general of the Council of the European Union (EU) and representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.  

Wen said China and the EU share many common grounds, including the willingness to safeguard world peace, security and stability.

Both China and the EU advocate the strengthening of the role of the United Nations and support multilateralism, Wen said.

While attaching great importance to developing bilateral relations, Wen said, both sides realize that multi-faceted cooperation meets interests of the two sides.

He said China is willing to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU.

Solana highly valued China's cooperation with the EU in political, economic and trade aspects.

He said the EU and China should further their friendly cooperation in the future.

On the Taiwan issue, Solana said the EU would stick to the one-China policy and will not make any shift on its consistent stand.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2004)