The European Union (EU) and China Monday signed an agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of disaster risk management between the two sides.

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva (R) shakes hands with visiting Chinese State Councilor Ma Kai in Brussels, capital of Belgium, on Nov. 29, 2010. [Wu Wei/Xinhua]

European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva and visiting Chinese State Councilor Ma Kai witnessed the signing ceremony of the agreement for a joint project totaling 9 million euros (11.7 million U.S. dollars), among which 6 millions euros (7. 8 million U.S. dollars) will come from the EU.

As the first bilateral project in disaster prevention, it is aimed at strengthening China's disaster management system with the support of the EU and its member states.

"We followed up on the commitment to strengthen cooperation in the field of emergency management, made in 2009 by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso," Georgieva said.

"Enhanced cooperation will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and will ensure more efficient and cost-effective response and preparedness for disasters," she said.

Ferran Tarradellas, spokesman for Georgieva, stressed the importance of disaster prevention to Xinhua after the signing ceremony.

"The most effective way to save lives in crisis situations is to take steps to prevent disaster before it happens," Tarradellas said.

According to the Chinese delegation, the project is part of the development assistance offered by the EU to China.

Since 1984, the EU has funded 75 projects for development assistance to the tune of 730 million euros (949 million U.S. dollars) in China, especially in the field of socio-economic reform, agriculture, energy, protection of environment and social security.