The European Union's foreign policy chief said Tuesday she's confident the EU and China can agree to a common approach on climate change ahead of crucial carbon reduction talks in Paris this year.

 

Federica Mogherini praised China's targets for gradually reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and said the sides should be able to agree on other goals at an upcoming bilateral summit.

 

"On climate change, let me say that the European Union appreciates very much the role that China has been playing and is playing," Mogherini told reporters in Beijing.

 

A unified EU-China approach will help make the Paris talks a success, something that is a "common joint responsibility," she said.

 

A leading U.S. envoy for climate change expressed similar sentiments on a visit to Beijing in March. That appears to be raising hopes for a global plan to cut greenhouse emissions following the last U.N. climate summit in 2009 which ended without a significant agreement.

 

China is the world's biggest emitter and has pledged to level off carbon emissions by around 2030. That commitment has garnered widespread affirmation, although some experts say China's emissions need to peak much earlier to stave off major climate consequences.

 

Mogherini said the sides agreed on the need for a negotiated settlement to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists, and praised China's role in talks on a framework agreement over Iran's nuclear program.

 

 

PHOTO: European Union Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini, left, shakes hands with China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi after a joint press conference at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

CREDIT: AP Photo/Andy Wong.