EU did not think the lifting would "endanger the situation in East Asia," Juncker told a press conference after the summit.(Reuters photo)

LUXEMBOURG, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The European Union (EU) said Monday that its possible lifting of the arms embargo on China will not "endanger" the security situation in East Asia.

    Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country is holding the EU presidency, said the lifting of the arms embargo against China is a major topic during the 14th EU-Japan summit held here Monday morning.

    The EU "takes seriously" the concerns from Japan over the issue, but it did not think the lifting would "endanger the situation in East Asia," Juncker told a press conference after the summit.

    The EU leaders explained to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi their position on the issue, he said.

    On the question of the possible lifting during Luxembourg's presidency, which ends by the end of June, Juncker said he could not give "a definitive answer."

    An EU summit last December mandated Luxembourg to "finalize" preparations for the lifting during its presidency.

    For his part, Koizumi said he expressed to the EU leaders Japan's concerns over the lifting and his concerns were "well understood."

    During the annual summit, the EU and Japanese leaders also discussed the strengthening of political dialogue and economic cooperation, as well as cultural exchange between the two sides.

    The EU leaders also expressed the hope that Japan would play an"active" role in the international conference on Iraqi reconstruction, which is scheduled to be held later this month in Brussels under the co-sponsorship of the EU and the United States.Enditem