BRUSSELS (Agencies) – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Brussels on Monday and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in economic issues, adding that the exchange rates of the “major reserve currencies should be kept relatively stable.”

Wen is scheduled to visit Greece, Belgium, Italy and Turkey from October 2 to 9. Wen will also attend the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the 13th China-European Union summit from October 4 to 6.
Wen flew in from Greece where on Sunday he said China will work closely with the EU as well as directly with Greece to tide over the once-in-a-century financial crisis.
Addressing the Greek parliament, Wen elaborated on China's stance on China-EU ties, saying China is committed to advancing China-EU relations, which is not an expedient but a long-term strategic policy.
He vowed to boost cooperation with the EU in the face of the global financial crisis, saying China will not reduce its euro-bond holdings and that China supports a stable euro.
The Chinese premier also urged the EU to recognize China's full market economy status as soon as possible, ease restrictions on high-tech exports to China and reject trade protectionism ""so as to foster an environment conducive to the healthy growth of our trade.""
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying said earlier that Wen was expected to put forward a package of initiatives at the ASEM summit.
------EU welcomes China’s support for Greek economy
China's pledge to buy Greek government bonds and provide other support for the country's troubled economy is welcome, a European Commission spokesman said Monday.
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao announced the measures in a speech to the Greek parliament over the weekend.
""Greece is back on track,"" said commission spokesman Amadeu Altafaj Tardio. ""We share this analysis made by the Chinese authorities.""
""Anything which will help increase demand must be welcome,"" he added.
-----Political reform
Wen flagged up the need for political reform, in the latest of several outspoken remarks on an issue senior Community party leaders usually avoid in public.
In an interview with CNN Wen said: “The people’s wishes for, and needs for, democracy and freedom are irresistible.”
In August Wen used a speech marking the 30th anniversary of economic reforms to call for political changes. He said authorities should create the conditions for people to criticize and monitor the government and solve ""the excessive concentration of unrestrained power"". He has since returned to the theme repeatedly.
Earlier this year he had raised eyebrows by writing a highly personal tribute to Hu Yaobang, the reformist leader whose death sparked the student protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Wen’s interview with CNN, his first with a foreign journalist for two years, was taped on 23 September.
Photo: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday made a five-point proposal on boosting ties with Greece during talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreau (R). (Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei