Source: Bernama (Malaysia)
Source type: News Agency
Published on: 30 Sep 2010
BRUSSELS, Sept 30 (Bernama) — Asian and European leaders at next week’s Asia-Europe Meeting will declare a policy of hammering out more concrete policies toward strengthening the strategic partnership, Kyodo News said, quoting a draft chair’s statement on Wednesday.
It said there is a need for more result-oriented initiatives to strengthen the comprehensive, equal and mutually beneficial Asia-Europe strategic partnership for sustainable development, a partnership that goes beyond aid.
Belgium will host the next ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government (ASEM 8) in Brussels on October 4 and 5, 2010.
The leaders will prioritize their discussions on global economic governance and climate change, as well as other crucial topics including sustainable development, piracy at sea, reform of the U.N. system, and nuclear non-proliferation.
However, the agenda “concrete political and regional issues” in the draft is a blank column to be ‘addressed separately’ at the talks.
The meeting is also expected to discuss on the upcoming elections in Myanmar, the situation in North Korea, and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao are both scheduled to attend the summit on Oct 4 and 5, and there is a possibility they will discuss the maritime collisions earlier this month near a chain of disputed islets.
It also mentions greater integration of financial markets of Asia and Europe, freight and transportation linkages, and transfers of technology to help bridge the digital divide among ASEM partners.
On the scheme of bilateral cohesion between the two parts of the world, the draft chair’s statement said: “Leaders reaffirmed the strategic dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and benefit.”
According to the draft, on the economic part, which is first to be touched on, it said: “As a first priority, the demand for goods and services as well as investments have to be encouraged since they are the drivers of economic growth and job creation across countries.”
“To this effect, the progressive liberalization of domestic and international markets must be pursued,” it said.
It added that the leaders further agree that all forms of trade protectionism should be rejected and that existing tariff and non-tariff barriers should be rolled back without delay, the draft added.
On the part of climate change, the leaders will underline the necessity to address global climate change and to recognize in this regard the centrality and legitimacy of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change process.
They are set to agree that the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol Conferences of Parties in Cancun, taking into account the work done so far, should concretely address the remaining gaps on all major issues.
The draft added that leaders agreed that deep cuts in global emissions are required, recognizing the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below 2 Celcius, and to take action to meet this objective consistent with science and the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
For the actual plan of action, leaders welcomed the commitments of the European partners, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to provide fast-start financing with new and additional resources over the 2010-2012 period and to transparent reporting at the UNFCCC Conference in Cancun.
The meeting will officially welcome Australia, New Zealand and Russia as new ASEM partners.