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Full text: China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation

Xinhua, November 24, 2013

• 10. Hold regular dialogues on defense and security policy, increase training exchanges, and gradually raise the level of China-EU dialogue and cooperation on defense and security, advancing towards more practical cooperation.

  11. Continue cooperation on maritime security, including on counter-piracy, and conduct joint counter-piracy exercises.

  12. Develop joint activities to promote maritime safety and security; share expertise in relation to relevant international law; develop exchanges on the Arctic, including joint research projects.

  13. Intensify co-operation with a view to promoting and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid solely based on the needs of people affected by disaster or crisis, and in accordance with humanitarian principles.

  II. PROSPERITY

  China and the EU enjoy one of the world's biggest and most dynamic trading relationships. Their trade and investment exchanges have become a major engine driving their respective economic development and innovation. Both sides share responsibility for ensuring that their economies remain key drivers for global economic growth and providing prosperity for all. They are committed to building a world economy where all countries enjoy development and innovation, interconnected growth, interests converging, and firmly safeguarding and developing an open world economy. In that perspective, they are determined to enhance further their trade and investment relationship towards 2020 in a spirit of mutual benefit, by promoting open, transparent markets and a level-playing field. Particular importance will be paid to improving opportunities for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

  Key initiatives:

  (I) Trade and investment

  1. Reaffirm the importance of the annual High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue as an essential forum for planning and guiding the development of China-EU economic and trade relations as well as taking strategic decisions on important trade, investment and economic issues.

  2. Negotiate and conclude a comprehensive China-EU Investment Agreement that covers issues of interest to either side, including investment protection and market access. The China-EU Investment Agreement will provide for progressive liberalization of investment and the elimination of restrictions for investors to each other's market. It will provide a simpler and more secure legal framework to investors of both sides by securing predictable long-term access to EU and Chinese markets respectively and providing for strong protection to investors and their investments. It should replace the existing bilateral investment treaties between China and EU Member States with one single comprehensive agreement covering all EU Member States.

  3. Negotiating and concluding such a comprehensive China-EU Investment Agreement will convey both sides' joint commitment towards stronger cooperation as well as their willingness to envisage broader ambitions including, once the conditions are right, towards a deep and comprehensive FTA, as a longer term perspective.

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