The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the European Union (EU) Commission should develop, broaden and deepen cooperation in areas of common interest through a structured dialogue, a joint statement said in Hong Kong Monday.

Both sides are instructing respective officials to assess options and recommend ways forward in this regard, said the statement issued by Donald Tsang, chief executive of HKSAR, and Jose Manuel Barrose, president of the EU Commission.

The two parties further agreed that it would be useful to periodically review progress in the dialogue at the leadership level and update mutual agenda to meet future demands as their dynamic relationship continues, the statement added.

The statement also mentioned the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, which will be held in Hong Kong in December. Since trade has been a key driver in EU-Hong Kong relations, both sides attach great importance to achieving a substantive outcome of the conference which will pave the way for the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round.

It is Barroso's first visit to China as president of the EU Commission. Hong Kong is the last stop of his five-day official visit. He had visited Beijing, Shanghai and Macao before his arrival in Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua