Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday called for more dialogue and cooperation between China and the European Union while meeting with the visiting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barroso, heading a delegation of around 50 EU Commission officials, is on a three-day official visit to China. It is the second time Barroso has led an EU delegation to China.

It is also the first high-level meeting between China and the EU since the new EU Commission took office in Feb. 2010.

As the international situation undergoes profound change, China and the EU, both at crucial stages in their development, should enhance dialogue and cooperation, Wen said at the beginning of the formal talks.

"China and the EU drew up a blueprint for future development of the bilateral relationship after the 12th China-EU summit last year. We hope the blueprint will be clearer after this meeting," Wen said.

He called on the two sides to work towards their goals and lay a solid foundation for the 13th China-EU summit scheduled for the second half of the year.

Wen said China had all along supported the integration of the EU and paid close attention to EU's development after the Lisbon Treaty came into effect. China was willing to upgrade the China-EU strategic dialogue and work with the EU to promote the establishment of a new international political and economic order.

"Both China and the EU pay great attention to technology innovation and sustainable development, which provides broad space for bilateral cooperation in the areas of high-tech industry and green economy," Wen said.

Wen called for joint efforts from both sides to achieve an overall balance of bilateral trade and sustainable growth.

He also called on the EU to recognize China's full market economy status as soon as possible, which would gain a fair competition treatment for the Chinese companies.

Barroso and his delegation will fly to Shanghai Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

It is the first time the EU has participated in a World Expo outside its territory, reflecting the EU's support for China and the expo, Wen said.

He added he believes the EU pavilion will definitely be enjoyed by visitors from around the world.

Barroso said the meeting is happening just a few days before the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU ties, which shows the EU attaches great importance to the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The mutual understanding and trust between the EU and China is deepening, which is conducive for the two sides to jointly cope with global challenges, Barroso said.

Barroso said the Lisbon Treaty, which streamlines the decision-making process of the EU, gives the EU more power to deepen bilateral relations.He pledged to continue developing relations with China in his second term.

The EU hopes to enhance coordination with China on the macro economic strategy as well as financial and monetary policy through high-level economic and trade dialogues and the mechanism of the G20 group, so as to boost the global economic recovery, he added.

During their talk, Wen and Barroso also exchanged views on climate change and the Iran nuclear issues.

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