The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) member leaders reaffirmed the strategic importance of ASEM, and emphasized the need to further strengthen Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation, according to a Chair's Statement issued here Saturday by the ASEM seventh summit.
The Statement, considered as a great result of the ASEM seventh summit, said leaders recognized that Asia and Europe are closely related geographically, historically and culturally, and are complementary in economic and social development and rich in cultural diversity.
They also emphasized the need to further strengthen Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect, mutual benefit, seeking common grounds while shelving differences and learning from each other.
Expressing deep condolences and sympathy over the recent severe human and property losses incurred in natural disasters in Asia in the past year, the member leaders affirmed their commitment to continued assistance to the affected countries.
They "highlighted the need for conducting practical disaster preparedness and management and reconstruction cooperation, with a view to promoting regional and national capacity building in disaster preparedness and management", said the Statement.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and security, sustainable development and human rights in accordance with the UN Charter and principles of International Law.
The ASEM seventh summit was held here on Oct.24 to 25, attended by the Heads of State and Government of sixteen Asian and twenty-seven European nations, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat.
This ASEM summit was the first gathering of the leaders of 45 members of ASEM since its second round of enlargement.
Source: Xinhua
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