for the EU-China human rights dialogue to be strengthened, inter alia through the involvement of civil society and cooperation with the UN; 39. Stresses that cooperation between the EU and China in the multilateral arena is crucial in order to promote stability and address global challenges, inter alia in relation to economic and financial matters, including efforts to curb tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax havens; stresses that cooperation is also necessary in order to address climate change, environmental issues, the use of the planet’s limited natural resources, and development cooperation, to uphold peace and respect for international law in conflicts such as the one in Syria, and to respond to the challenges posed by Iran and North Korea in respect of non-proliferation; 40. Expresses its concern at China’s continuing violation of human rights and cultural and religious minority rights, namely in Tibet; Japan 41. Underlines the need to consolidate the Union’s relations with Japan as a strategic partner and major international actor that shares the EU’s democratic values and is a natural cooperation partner in multilateral fora; looks forward to the negotiation of a comprehensive Framework Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement; South Korea 42. Calls on the EU to deepen its political cooperation with South Korea, a major democratic Asian actor that has recently intensified trade relations with the EU through an ambitious Free Trade Agreement; India 43. Calls for the EU and its Member States to strengthen relations with India, based on the promotion of democracy, social inclusion, the rule of law and human rights, and urges both sides to do their utmost to conclude the negotiation of a comprehensive EU-India free trade agreement, which will stimulate European and Indian trade and economic growth; Turkey 44. Stresses the strategic importance of the EU's dialogue and cooperation with Turkey on stability, democracy and security, with particular reference to the wider Middle East; points out that Turkey is not only a NATO ally but also a candidate to join the EU if and when the accession criteria can be fulfilled and a decision on full membership meets with democratic approval; asks for the opening of crucial chapters, especially in order to trigger the necessary political reforms; notes that Turkey has strongly and repeatedly condemned the Syrian regime's violence against civilians and is providing vital humanitarian assistance to Syrians fleeing violence across the borders; calls for further cooperation between the Member States and Turkey, along with measures at Union level, in view of the growing flow of refugees at the EU’s external borders; stresses that Turkey's growing international standing should also be based on its commitment to fundamental rights, a secular state, pluralist democracy and the rule of law at home, and that the most crucial reforms have yet to be achieved; notes the vitality of the democratic demands being made by civil society in Turkey and reiterates its concern about the violent, repressive and often inadequate response by the authorities; asks for Turkey's support against fundamentalist, undemocratic