EU And China Hold High-Level Economic And Trade Talks

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

07 May 2009

The European Commission and the Chinese government are continuing their close working relationship with a series of high-level economic and trade talks in Brussels.

EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton and Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan are chairing the second meeting of the High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue (HED).

A further eight EU Commissioners and a total of 12 Chinese ministers or vice-ministers are participating in far-reaching talks aimed at strengthening the trade and investment relationship in order to speed recovery in the current economic crisis.

Speaking before the opening of the meeting, Commissioner Ashton commented:

“The way out of this economic crisis is not to shrink into our shells. We need to kick-start our economies, fight protectionism and create new opportunities for trade and investment. The EU and China have both taken proactive steps to get our economies moving again and we should focus on making sure our economic relationship is fair and open.”

During two plenary sessions on May 7 and 8, the two sides intend to cover the following topics:

• Trade, investment and competition;
• small and medium-sized companies;
• customs cooperation;
• sustainable development including low carbon economy;
• energy;
• food safety and trade in food, consumer protection and product safety;
• healthcare;
• innovation and intellectual property rights;
• geographical indications;
• technology and information society; and
• transport.

Recommended