Iliana Ivanova MEP represents the EPP Group at the 2nd China-Europe high-level political parties' forum 'China's 12th Five-Year Plan and the Europe 2020 Strategy: New Opportunities and Prospects for China-Europe Cooperation'

The 2nd China-Europe high-level political parties' forum opened on 16 May 2011 in Beijing. Iliana Ivanova MEP intervened, on behalf of the Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group), at the opening ceremony as well as in her capacity as Vice-Chairwoman of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China. This is the first time that the EPP Group has participated in this political forum. Mrs Ivanova delivered messages on behalf of the EPP Group and all national EPP member delegates at the opening session of the event.

"We firmly believe that discussions on a variety of subjects such as the financial and economic crisis, climate change, global governance, peaceful and democratic development of a just and harmonious society, are very important for building long-term political relations and for contributing to global peace, security and stability. This is what we stand for. And in this regard, we are ready to work together with China on issues of mutual interest, through forums and sectorial meetings organised in the EU, or in China", stated Mrs Ivanova in her opening remarks.

She was warmly welcomed and applauded by her Chinese colleagues who expressed their wishes to deepen the inter-party cooperation based on mutual respect and the strengthening of the ties between Europe and China.

For further information:
Iliana IVANOVA MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845194
Statul Karabashev, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-474-941991

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.