The two-day summit of the 9th Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) ended in Vientiane of Laos yesterday with a call for strengthening partnership for peace and development among 52 Asian and European nations.
"The forum has expressed strong desire and collective will to foster an environment of lasting peace, security, stability and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms to contribute to sustainable economic and social development," said the 16-point declaration adopted in the summit.
Talking to the news agency, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni termed the induction of Bangladesh in Asem a progress in cementing the relations with the Southeast Asian and European countries.
In the declaration, the Asem leaders emphasised strengthening cooperation between the regional organisations through establishing partnership links to contribute better interaction aimed at creation of atmosphere of peace and stability in Asia and Europe.
The declaration said the Asem leaders reaffirmed their determination to respect the right of Asem people to freely choose their political system and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
They agreed to provide new momentum to the cooperation between Asia and Europe for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, reforming the financial sector and international financial institutions to spur economic growth and create conducive environment for investment.
They also renewed their pledges to refrain from the act of threat or use of force in any manner inconsistence with the UN charter and international law, and broaden Asem interfaith dialogue to promote social cohesion, peace and development.
Chairman of the 9th Asem Summit and Prime Minister of Laos Thongsing Thammavong and Belgium Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo also spoke at the closing ceremony.
The next summit of the Asem will be held in Belgium in 2014.