Asia-Europe Cooperation Gets Stronger Momentum

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Asia-Europe Cooperation Gets Stronger Momentum

Asian and European countries' leaders meeting here have found more common grounds and agreed to expand cooperation in a wide range of issues from terrorist fighting to mutual-understanding dialogue, as the world sees more uncertainties at the beginning of the new century.

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Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism

At their two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the fourth since 1996, leaders of the 15-nation European Union (EU) and 10 Asian countries voiced their closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism, saying "various new security challenges, especially international terrorism and its possible links with transnational organized crime" pose threat to the world order.

The Copenhagen summit was held at the time when the current international situation is undergoing complicated and profound changes, as Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji pointed out, and multi-polarity and economic globalization are progressing with twists. Zhu said that the "September 11" incident has had its impact on the international situation and terrorism has posed a threat to security with uncertain factors emerging in world economic development.

At the summit that ended Tuesday, Asian and European leaders pledge to work together to combat those threats to global peace and security, sustainable economic development and political stability, and emphasize that "the fight against terrorism must be based on the principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international law."

The leaders, in a declaration of the summit, emphasized the importance of "sustaining the momentum of international cooperation against terrorism and the leading role of the United Nations."

They pointed out that terrorism and transnational organized crimes such as money laundering, trafficking in human beings and arms as well as the production of and trafficking in illicit drugs,form part of a complex set of new security challenges, which call for "a multi-facetted approach to the problems" facing both continents.

All 26 partners of ASEM, China, Japan, South Korea, seven-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 15 European Union member states, said they are determined to strengthen consultation, cooperation and coordination "on new security challenges by expanding ASEM initiatives directed against the scourge of terrorism and transnational organized crime."

Strengthened Dialogue

During the meeting, China, Denmark, France, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore also proposed a joint initiative of an ASEM conference on cultures and civilizations with an aim to promoting understanding between the two regions.

"Unity in diversity" has been termed as "a suitable catch phrase for this dialogue." And the first meeting of this kind will be held in China and co-chaired by the six partner countries.

On peace process on the Korean Peninsula, leaders said in a declaration that they are encouraged by "the recent positive developments towards the easing of tensions and promotion of dialogue between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea."

They urged Pyongyang and Seoul to take measures for implementing the 2000 Joint Declaration and follow-up agreements "with a view to enhancing peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation."

They welcomed the substantial progress recently made towards accomplishing a series of projects for inter-Korean cooperation, including the launching of the construction work on September 18, 2002 on the reconnection of rail and road links across the inter-Korean border.

More important, the leaders called for holding a second Inter-Korean Summit to push forward the peace process on the Korean Peninsula as well as engaging the DPRK in the international community "through constructive dialogue delivering concrete progress."

They also expressed support for "the on-going efforts of ASEM partners to promote dialogue, including developing relations with the DPRK."

The declaration on Korean Peninsula signaled again a joint effort by the Asian and EU leaders to enhance political dialogue and substantial ties with the DPRK, and the move is also regarded as part of multilateral international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Asia and in the whole world.

Recalling progress they made at the beginning of the 21st century, leaders at the summit affirmed that the relations between Asia and Europe had become closer, more extensive and more important than ever, and that ASEM has entered a new stage of dynamic development.

Analysts believe that after the summit, the ASEM countries will deepen their dialogue and understanding, expand common grounds and cooperation in order to keep the good trend in the years to come.

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