The Chinese government and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday agreed to work together to strengthen the international nonproliferation and arms control regimes.

"The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery poses a serious threat to international peace and security," said a joint declaration signed here after the one-day summit between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and EU leaders, represented by Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Recognizing each other as a major strategic partner in the area of disarmament and nonproliferation, China and the EU will deepen their cooperation in these pursuits and promote close policy dialogues at various levels at opportunities presented by major international conferences.

China and the EU also commit their support for the international verification agencies including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. They agreed that the specific role and responsibilities of the United Nations Security Council in this area should be fostered.

China and the EU underline the importance of a regional approach in the implementation of their strategies for fighting the proliferation of WMD, and regard in this respect the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF) as one of the important for a for consultation on regional, political and security issues.

"China and the EU will explore possibilities to launch joint initiatives in the area of nonproliferation in the framework of the ARF," said the joint declaration.

The two sides also agree that the prevention of proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons should not hamper international cooperation in materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes while goals of peaceful utilization should not be used as a cover for proliferation.

As for the issue of arms control, the two sides agreed to make positive and active efforts. "Efforts to prevent illicit trade of small arms and light weapons and flows of those weapons that would impair regional peace and stability should be enhanced," said the joint declaration.

In the joint declaration, China and the EU appreciate their respective efforts in facilitating a political resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying that they welcome the agreement reached between France, Germany and the UK and Iran on Iran's suspension of enrichment-related and reprocessing activities.

Both China and the EU hope that progress will be made in the negotiations of the EU with Iran on a mutually acceptable agreement on long-term arrangements, and that the Iran nuclear issue will be resolved within the framework of the IAEA at the earliest opportunity, according to the joint declaration.