Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called Saturday on the European side to make correct political resolution independently for lifting arms ban against China and granting China full market economy status.

Wen said such a move, which was made by "proceeding from strategic and long-term point of view," could wipe out barriers amidst the growth of Sino-European ties.

Wen made the remarks when meeting the press after the ninth China-EU Summit, which was held in the Finland capital of Helsinki.

Since the founding of the New China in 1949, Wen said, a number of European leaders have made important resolutions on developing relations with China, thus greatly promoting the growth of China- Europe relations.

Long-term practices have proven that the growth of such relationship bring benefits to both, Wen said.

The lifting of arms ban and the granting the full market economy status to China "comply with Europe's own interests," he said, adding that "the earlier the problems be resolved, the more benefits it could bring."

In a joint statement issued after the summit, it said leaders between the two sides discussed the EU arms embargo. "The EU side recognized the importance of this issue and confirmed its willingness to carry forward work towards lifting the embargo on the basis of the Joint Statement of the 2004 EU-China Summit and subsequent European Council Conclusions," the document said.

Wen arrived in Helsinki Saturday, kicking off his four-nation tour.

Besides the ninth China-EU Summit, Wen will attend the sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). He will also pay an official visit to Finland at the invitation of Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.

Finland is the first-leg of Wen's visit. He will also visit Britain, Germany and Tajikistan in central Asia, where he will attend the fifth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization , due to be held in Tajikistan's capital of Dushanbe.

Source: Xinhua