| On trade and investment, they pledged to provide each other with broader and more facilitated, non-discriminatory market access, and to achieve in the course of 2019 the decisive progress required for the conclusion of an ambitious China-EU Comprehensive Investment Agreement in 2020. As for enhancing cooperation in scientific research and innovation, China and the EU confirmed their intention to renew the China-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. They welcomed the provisional agreement reached on the negotiations of the China-EU Agreement on the Cooperation on, and Protection of, Geographical Indications (GI), and committed to formally conclude the negotiations in 2019. Both parties also agreed to forge synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the EU strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia, and enhance cooperation within the framework of the China-EU Connectivity Platform, so as to jointly make Europe-Asia connectivity more sustainable and interoperable. They will support the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and conflicts through dialogue and consultation and will work together for world peace, prosperity and sustainable development, the two sides noted. Important consensus has also been reached on government procurement, the zoning principle of bilateral trade in agri-food products, cooperation in climate change and clean energy, implementation of the Paris Agreement, among others. Li said Chinese President Xi Jinping paid successful visits to Italy, Monaco and France in March, which injected new impetus to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. China has always attached great importance to Europe, supported the European integration, firmly committed to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, Li stressed. China and the EU will create opportunities for each other while pursuing opening up, and will bring prosperity to the whole world while striving for cooperation, Li noted, adding that China is ready to work with the EU to elevate their relations to a higher level. | 
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