EU hopes for end to China arms embargo next year: minister
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Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot reiterated that the European Union is not yet ready to lift a 15-year-old arms embargo on China, but said he hopes the ban can be ended next year.
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The European Union and China pledged to boost relations Wednesday, but the EU said there can be no early lifting of its 15-year-old embargo on arms sales until Beijing improves its shaky human rights record.
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The European Union is not yet ready to lift an arms embargo on China, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot said just before the start of a summit with Chinese leaders Wednesday.  "We are working assiduously but...the time is not right to lift the embargo," Bot told reporters. The Netherlands holds the bloc's rotating presidency.
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French President Jacques Chirac on Saturday called for an end to a European Union arms embargo on China as companies from both nations signed contracts worth more than &#36;1 billion during a high profile visit meant to strengthen commercial ties.
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European Union foreign ministers agreed to lift an arms embargo on Libya on Monday, recognizing Tripoli's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction and its wish to move closer to the bloc.
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Beijing, Dec 7 (PTI) China has said its appeal to lift the EU&#39;s 15-year-old arms embargo does not mean the country was &quot;eager&quot; to buy weapons from EU countries, the state media reported today.
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China has warned the EU that it risks damaging bilateral ties unless it lifts a 15-year embargo on selling arms to Beijing.
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At an EU-China Summit on Wednesday, the EU said now was not the time to lift its arms embargo on China. However, EU leaders held out the prospect of ending the ban perhaps next year, despite opposition from the US.
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The European Union failed to agree on Monday to lift an arms embargo against China despite energetic French pressure, but ministers said a stronger code of conduct on arms exports could lead to a removal of the ban.
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China on Wednesday urged the European Union to end "political discrimination" and resume its arms trade, but failed to secure a clear commitment on the timing of such a move.
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The European Union Wednesday held out the prospect of lifting a 15-year-old arms embargo on China, possibly by next year. Washington firmly opposes
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The EU told China on Wednesday it was  not yet ready to end its 15-year-old ban on selling it arms,  but suggested the embargo could be lifted in early 2005 despite  opposition from human rights groups and Washington.
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The European Union (EU) agreed in principle Wednesday to lift an arms embargo on Libya after pressure from Italy, which wants to help Libya close its borders to illegal immigrants, diplomats said.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao heads to Europe this weekend with hopes of boosting trade and reducing friction with the EU, while thorny issues like human rights will not figure high on the agenda.
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The European Union urged China to strengthen human rights as the EU considers ending a 15-year-old arms embargo that denies weapons makers such as BAE Systems Plc access to the growing Chinese market.
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European foreign ministers will confront China over Kosovo, the Darfur conflict and its tacit support for Myanmar at a major EU-Asia meeting which began here Monday, diplomats said.
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LUXEMBOURG - The European Union has agreed to ease an 18-year arms embargo against Libya, going one step farther than the US which dropped its trade embargo against the former pariah, but maintained a weapons ban.