Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in Copenhagen on Sunday that it is
imperative for Asia and Europe to deepen their cooperation because
there have been more uncertain factors in the world's political and
economic situation.
Attending an Asian leaders meeting on the eve of the fourth
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Zhu said Asian countries should seek
more political consensus, closer relationship and deeper
cooperation, especially in the fields of economy and trade, with
European nations.
He
told heads of state and government from other nine Asian nations
that under the spirit of solidarity and coordination, Asian
countries will achieve these goals so as to make greater
contribution to global stability and prosperity.
As
one of the two Asian coordinators for the fourth ASEM summit to be
held on Monday and Tuesday, Zhu chaired the Asian leaders meeting
after he arrived in the Danish capital.
A
dialogue meeting, the gathering of 10 Asian nations approved an
ASEM political declaration on the fight against terrorism, a
political declaration on peace on the Korean Peninsular and a
president's statement of the fourth ASEM.
The 10 Asian leaders and representatives will join their
counterparts of the 15-nation European Union (EU) at the fourth
ASEM summit, a long-term informal dialogue for promoting
understanding and cooperation between the two regions.
The ASEM summit is held every two years. The first meeting was held
in Bangkok in 1996 as "a formative event", and the second in London
in 1998 focusing on Asian financial and economic crisis. And the
Seoul summit in 2000 took place at a time when the two regions
prepared for their further dialogue and cooperation in the 21st
century.
The leaders at their Copenhagen meeting will discuss the
international situation in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terror
attacks, new security issues and recent regional developments. They
will talk about regional economic and financial priorities in the
context of the global economic situation. On social, cultural and
educational issues, they will focus on human resources development
and educational exchange with a view to "fostering mutual
understanding, reducing poverty and increasing employability".
In
addition, the leaders, for the first time, will draw the world's
attention by holding a "retreat session" to start "a dialogue among
cultures and civilizations".
(Xinhua News
Agency September 22, 2002)