Date of release : 10-05-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : EU-China (Troika)

Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign Affairs and current President of the Council of the European Union, will head the European delegation at a Ministerial Troika Meeting between the European Union and China on 11 May 2005 in Beijing.

The People's Republic of China will be represented by its Minister for Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner in charge of External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, will also take part in the meeting.

The meeting will be an opportunity to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China.

The discussions will focus on bilateral relations and preparations for the next EU-China summit, particularly in view of establishing a strategic partnership between two parties. 

Ministers are also expected to exchange views on Taiwan, the reform of the United Nations, as well as the situation in North Korea and Burma/Myanmar.