The EU and China should enhance cooperation, particularly on the economy, climate change, and energy, the European Parliament head said on May 27.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek praised relations between EU and China.

Buzek said China plays an increasingly important role globally, and the EU values China's role. He hopes to strengthen dialogues and cooperation between the European Parliament and the National People's Congress (NPC) to boost the all-round relationship.

"The European Union and China are important economic and trade partners, and economic and trade cooperation has become the cornerstone of China-EU relations," Buzek said.

"Now, we have much closer cooperation economically, but it's not enough," he told China.org.cn. "We should also focus on climate changes, green energy, anti-terrorism, fighting piracy and so on."

President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek. [China.org.cn / Wang Ke]

Buzek hailed the progress of EU-China ties over the last 35 years, citing enhanced political trust, fruitful cooperation, close coordination in global and regional affairs and the establishment of an annual summit mechanism and strategic partnership.

Admitting differences between the EU and China, he said the two sides have had interesting and efficient exchanges and through various dialogues, and those minor issues, like trade friction and political disagreement, can be resolved in the future.

Buzek hoped to see an even stronger China.

"We believe that a self-secure, self-confident, stronger China is one of the best assets for the equilibrium, stability and security of the world," he said.

During the press conference, Buzek stressed that the EU wants to join hands with China to tackle global challenges and make EU-China ties a model for mutual respect, friendly coexistence and win-win cooperation.

"Countries, big or small, more or less powerful, must contribute to solving global problems – that is our common destiny," he said.

When asked about the EU debt crisis, Buzek said the Chinese government has expressed concern over it and he was "absolutely sure" that the EU can defend the euro.

The EU has put "as much money as necessary on the table" to overcome the crisis, and the EU countries are going forward with budget cuts and structural reforms to become more competitive, he said.

On Saturday, Buzek heads to Shanghai Expo for the opening of the European Parliament Friendship Days.