The principles of mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs between China and the European Union that were described by Premier Wen Jiabao at the 11th China-EU summit will be honored, said Michael Pulch, deputy head of Delegation of the European Commission to China Thursday.

"This is a statement that we would subscribe to."

"It reflects our view," Pulch said in an interview with China Daily. "This has been one of the principles that is guiding our relationship."

Pulch described the summit "a stepping stone" in fostering a stronger relationship.

He said the summit achieved its objectives of bringing together leaders to discuss not only imminent political issues but to talk about two major global issues: the global economic crisis and climate change.

"We don't talk about our issues only bilaterally, but also about how we can advance and make progress in global issues as global players. I think that is a step forward," said Pulch.

Pulch said the world economic crisis has hit the EU's economies hard because they specialized in producing machinery, luxury products, automobiles and other items that consumers have opted not to buy in favour of saving.

"But we are optimistic," he said. "We are in the process of restructuring our economy."

Pulch agreed that it will be important for both to work together to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

"One of the important signals that we've given (at the ASEAN summit last October) is that protectionism is not the best way forward and we need to keep markets open, to keep the trade flows open. That's exactly the message that we got across this time."

On recognizing China's market economy status, Pulch said: "We are working with the Chinese government very actively. There's an annual report we publish. We've notified and recognized progress made by China."

He said the partnership framework deal "will bring together under one umbrella all the different activities that we're doing."

Talking about his expectations for the next decade, Pulch said: "I hope we can finalize the partnership cooperation agreement, we'll see more Chinese investment in Europe.

"I expect that we will have a more intensive people-to-people process. I'd like to see more European tourists come to China and hopefully more Chinese will come and visit Europe."