‘Build growth with cooperation’
VIENTIANE, Laos – LEADERS from Asia and Europe called for closer cooperation between the two continents in addressing the current global economic and financial crisis yesterday.
The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, also unequivocally affirmed the euro’s future.
A two-day Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos was attended by leaders and ministers from 51 countries, including new members Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh.
The meeting, known as ASEM, endorsed closer economic ties between the two continents to promote stronger and sustained growth. Combined, the two regions produce half the world’s
GDP and have 60 per cent of the world’s population.
The crisis in Europe has affected not only most economies there but also their trading partners in Asia. But Van Rompuy said there was no sign of Asian resentment that it was being asked to carry its ailing European friends.
“There was no blame game,” he said. “Rather a clear sense that in Asia, as well as in Europe, we are all on the same boat.”
The leaders also reaffirmed a commitment to fight against trade barriers that have crept in some places as a result of the crisis, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
He said there was “a strong rejection of protectionism” and a commitment to the “importance that trade can have for strong sustainable growth”.
Although not on the ASEM agenda, the issue of financially battered Greece was on many minds at the summit.
AP