BEIJING, July 9 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union pledged to strengthen defense and security cooperation on Monday.

The pledge came during Defense Minister Liang Guanglie's meeting with Catherine Margaret Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

China has established bilateral military relations with all EU member countries and China-EU defense and security relations have witnessed rapid growth, Liang said.

China is positive about promoting defense and security cooperation with the EU and believes that the two sides will make continuous progress in their cooperation under joint efforts, Liang said.

Ashton said the EU is willing to work with China to achieve long-lasting development and prosperity.

"Strengthening the two sides' defense and security cooperation will play an important role in developing overall EU-China relations, as well as safeguarding world peace and stability," she said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional security issues.