BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A joint statement of the 10th China-EU Leaders' Meeting was released here Monday, noting that over the decade, China-EU relations have made a historical progress.

    The statement said that leaders of the two sides had an overall review of the development of the bilateral relations since the establishment of the mechanism of China-EU Summit in 1998 and agreed that over the decade, China-EU relations have made a historical progress.

    Leaders expressed their satisfaction with the comprehensive cooperation between the two sides in broad fields and at all levels, and with the growing maturity of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, said the statement.

    It said leaders of the two sides welcomed the development of China-EU political relations. "They hold that the full and effective political dialogue mechanism established between the two sides had played a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and expanding common ground and cooperation, and serves as an important foundation for stronger China-EU political mutual trust,"

    The two sides recalled the deepening and expanding economic cooperation and trade between the two sides, and emphasized that China and the EU are becoming each other's most important economic and trade partners thanks to efforts by both sides over the past 10 years, and that bilateral economic cooperation and trade had become one of the most important driving forces for further strengthening of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

    Chinese and EU leaders also discussed the necessary actions to be taken to achieve a more balanced trade and economic partnership, according to the statement.

    "Leaders stated that China-EU consultation and coordination on major international and regional issues - in particular Africa, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, Iran, the Middle East and Kosovo, as well as ASEM - as an important part of the overall China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, had played an important role in promoting world peace, stability and sustainable development," said the statement.

    It said China welcomed the new and significant progress made in EU integration, as a result of the EU agreement on a new Reform Treaty, which further strengthens Europe as a global player.

    The EU welcomed the 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, and the application of its Scientific Outlook on Development, pursue a win-win strategy of opening up, and follow unswervingly the path of peaceful development.

    The statement said China and EU hold that the current world is now undergoing extensive and profound changes, and that as comprehensive strategic partners, both at a crucial stage of development, China and the EU would, upholding the spirit of democracy, harmony and collaboration for win-win results, continue to work together to promote democracy in international relations, advance a more balanced development of economic globalization to ensure mutual benefit and win-win progress.

    "They would work to promote human civilization, be committed to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, support each other and make concerted efforts to jointly safeguard planet Earth for the benefit of all mankind," said the statement.

    Reaffirming their commitment in favour of preserved environment and sustainable development, China and the EU would work to promote the building of a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity, which not only serves the fundamental interests of the two sides, but also world peace, stability, and development and human rights, said the statement.