The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) has concluded in Brussels with the adoption of the "ASEM Chair's Declaration on happiness and dignity"and the "Brussels Declaration on More Effective Global Economic Governance."
Participants at the meeting also adopted 16 initiatives to further consolidate co-operation among ASEM members in different fields, including food security, transportation, forestry management, research and development and education.
They also agreed that the 9th ASEM summit would be held in Laos in 2012.
ASEM leaders reiterated their commitment to facilitating conditions for co-operation between the two continents to help promote rapid, balanced, sustainable and fair economic growth. Delegates also pledged to maintain a spirit of transparency when it came to the financial system in the hope of contributing to international financial reform in developing countries.
During the meeting, leaders adopted a number of important decisions to ensure sustainable development, focusing on three factors – economic development, social development and environmental protection.
They supported the Chiang Mai Initiative in Asia and said the financial mechanism being introduced in Europe would be useful to countries facing financial problems.
Other topics discussed by ASEM leaders included reform of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the international community and ASEM to join efforts to overcome the consequences of the recent financial crisis and to prepare for the post-crisis period.
"Viet Nam is determined to achieve rapid sustainable economic growth.
Economic growth always goes hand in hand with progress, social equality, environmental protection, people's comprehensive development, democracy and improved living conditions. Viet Nam has focused on these key elements, which is why the country has achieved an economic growth that has averaged 7.3 per cent per annum, while maintaining socio-political stability."
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked ASEM to continue efforts to build "comprehensive, fair and mutually beneficial sustainable development in the Asia-Europe Strategic Partnership."
He expressed hope that such a partnership would help narrow the development gap among member states in ASEM and in the region. It would encourage countries to share experiences and support each other's development.
Dung explained two initiatives jointly proposed by Viet Nam, Britain, South Korea, the Netherlands and Finland entitled "ASEM Forum on Green Growth" and "ASEM Forum on Social Safety Network."
As the chair of ASEAN 2010, Dung told participants that ASEAN had entered a new period of development based on creating a self-reliant, dynamic and sustainable ASEAN Community by 2015.
"ASEAN will continue to take the lead in safeguarding peace, security and co-operation for regional development. ASEAN will remain the driving force in promoting co-operation and close economic and trade links in the region through various co-operation programmes within the framework of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit.
Dung said ASEAN occupied a strategic position in the region. He said ASEAN had become an important partner of major developed countries – including ASEM member states.
Speaking at the 12th Asia-Europe Business Forum, Dung urged businesses to participate more actively in monitoring the performance of the financial and banking systems and their governments. He emphasised the importance of public-private partnership in financial support and initiatives to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
During his stay in Brussels, Dung held talks with his counterparts from China, Estonia, Australia, Finland, Slovenia, Austria and Great Britain.
During the talks they discussed measures to promote bilateral relations with Viet Nam and co-operation at multi-lateral and regional forums. They also discussed Viet Nam's role in the region, particularly as chair of ASEAN.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told Dung that he would attend the East Asia Summit in Hanoi later this month.
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