The EU is represented by a troika of high level delegations from France, Sweden and the European Commission. The dialogue, which takes place twice a year under each rotating presidency of the European Union, forms a valuable platform to engage China in a dialogue on sensitive human rights issues. The EU will request information and voice concerns about the death penalty, the ratification of two UN Covenants already signed by China, ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, the continuous crackdown on Falungong and democracy activists, and social and labour rights. The euro was floating between 87 and 88 dollar cents on the currency exchange markets this week, after the joint intervention of the central banks of the United States, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, led by the European Central Bank, last week Friday. The intervention was welcomed by Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Pedro Solbes, who called the intervention a positive development .
Commission welcomes Yugoslavian election results.
The European Commission welcomed the results of the elections held in Yugoslavia on 24 September, which showed a clear defeat of current President Milosevic. European Commission President Prodi congratulated democratic opposition candidate Mr. Kostunica on his victory. European Commission is already working on help for Serbia to rebuild its economy and infrastructure, as soon as the will of the people is respected. We will be ready to lift sanctions. The sanctions include an oil embargo, financial sanctions, a visa ban for top officials and business executives and a ban on air links with Yugoslavia, which has already been suspended.