Wen's Eurasian Visit Further Deepens Co-op: FM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's four-nation Eurasian tour has scored marked achievements and further deepened China-Europe cooperation, said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who described the visit as "a great complete success."

Wen paid official visits to Greece, Belgium, Italy and Turkey and attended the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the 13th China-EU summit in the eight days from Oct. 2-9.

Yang said Premier Wen's visit is aimed at boosting mutual trust through dialogues and promoting common development through cooperation.

During his eight-day visit, Wen took part in more than 70 meetings, events and activities and paid a brief visit to Berlin as a guest of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the midst of his stay in Brussels.

In addition to talking with leaders of the four countries and the European Union (EU), Wen also met with people from the local cultural, industrial and business circles and held joint press conferences or issued joint statements together with the leaders of the countries.

Premier Wen vividly presented China's policies and positions, trying different angles, Yang said, which had further improved bilateral relations between China and the four countries and deepened China-Europe ties in the new historic period.

Establish China-Turkey stratigeic relationship of cooperation

Yang said Premier Wen's visit to Turkey is of great significance to the bilateral relations that have had a tradition of friendly ties. Turkey attached great importance to and had been looking forward to the landmark visit, which further consolidated the bilateral cooperation and turned a new chapter in the bilateral relations.

Premier Wen and Turkish leaders held in-depth talks and reached wide consensus. The two sides agreed to establish a strategic relationship of cooperation and issued a joint declaration, further upgrading the level of friendly cooperation in all fields and establishing a new milestone in the bilateral relations.

Premier Wen's visit had a number of achievements, Yang said.

The two sides agreed to further boost their cooperation in fighting the forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism and work together to safeguard their integrity of territory and sovereignty.

The premier's visit further boosted bilateral cooperation as the two sides signed eight documents covering economy and trade, railway, power station, telecommunications and infrastructural construction. China encourages Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Turkey, make efforts to link the railway systems of the two countries, boost cooperation with Turkish side in finance, and promote bilateral trade with a view to sustainable and balanced growth.

The two sides also agreed to further promote cultural exchanges. Premier Wen elaborated on China's policy of respecting cultural diversity while meeting representatives from Turkey's cultural and industrial and business circles. He also told the Turkish side that China would encourage Chinese tourists to travel to Turkey.

The two sides also agreed to enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs to promote peace, stability and prosperity, and promote bilateral cooperation.

Premier Wen's successful four-nation visit is an important diplomatic tour to help boost mutual trust and do away with misunderstandings at a time of new international situations, and it will have significant influence on relations between China and the EU, China and Turkey, and China and Eurasian countries, Yang said.

Promote Eurasia cooperation, common development

The Asia-Europe Meeting, or ASEM, has always been an important communication platform for the two continents.

At the meeting, Premier Wen exchanged views and reached consensus on issues like global economic governance, sustainable development, international and regional issues and the cooperation process between Asia and Europe, Yang said.

The latest ASEM was held amid a slow global economic recovery with a theme of "Quality of Life: How to Ensure Greater Prosperity and More Dignity for All Citizens." Russia, Australia and New Zealand were received as new members at the meeting, bringing the number of its members to 48.

The meeting passed "the Chair's Statement of the Eighth Asia-Europe Meeting" and the "Brussels Declaration on More Effective Global Economic Governance," which express the will of the two continents to develop together and show mutual concern like the ones in the same boat.

While addressing the eighth ASEM, Wen called the two continents to work together for the balanced and sustainable recovery of the world economy, push forward global economic governance and international financial system reform. He also called on the two continents to stick to the path of sustainable development and promote green growth.