Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting stresses multilateral cooperation

BRUSSELS - The Tenth Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting that concluded here has called for reinforcing multilateral cooperation through international fora and agreements in trade, climate change, security and other areas.

A gathering of parliamentarians from more than 30 Asian and European countries, the event, held on Sept 27-28, focused on climate change and environmental challenges as a priority for the planet and of multilateralism as a fair methodology to shape advanced and equitable internationals relationships.

A declaration issued following the meeting says both Asia and Europe, representing more about 60 percent of world population and world gross domestic product (GDP), must reaffirm the common objective of promoting multilateralism as "the most effective and fair methodology" in addressing common issues.

It calls for the "highest" political commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement in all its aspects, including, inter alia, mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology development and transfer, capacity-building and transparency of actions and support, in reflection of equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities.

The meeting reiterates full support to the Iranian nuclear deal, saying "only mutual trust, cooperation and engagement through an increase of diplomatic, trade and people-to-people relations, can provide a stable and peaceful landscape."

Moreover, participants reaffirm the central importance of international rules-based open, free, transparent and non-discriminatory trade. "In this context the WTO role is key, functioning as a negotiating forum for its members and providing a platform for open discussion on global trade related issues," the declaration notes.

A delegation of China's National People's Congress (NPC), headed by Zhang Zhijun, vice chairman of NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, attended the event.

Zhang expressed China's willingness to share experiences in environmental governance and economic development with other Asian and European countries and actively participate in the multilateral governance of climate change, in order to build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.