Asia and the Pacific cannot be looked at from the economic point of view only, but the security of the region, political dialogue and cooperation with it are also important, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said on Monday.
The European Union wants to be a global player who cooperates with Asian partners, Schwarzenberg said at the start of the 5th conference on security challenges in Asia and the Pacific and their consequences for Europe and NATO.
The Czech Republic takes interest in security in Asia from the point of view of a member of the EU and NATO and also as a country that is preparing for six-month presidency of the EU in the first half of 2009, Schwarzenberg said.
Events such as EU-Japan, EU-Asia and EU-ASEAN summits will be held during Czech presidency.
The Czech Republic does not operate in Asia only theoretically, Schwarzenberg said, adding that his country participates in the missions in Afghanistan, humanitarian aid sent to Asia and the activities of Czech diplomatic missions.
The two-day conference, which was organized by the Prague Security Studies Institute, emphasized on the economy, energy and security in Asia. It is attended by experts from the Czech Republic, India and other countries.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article