WORLD> ASEM7 Beijing
ASEM leaders vow to promote political dialogue
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-26 09:29

The leaders from Asia and Europe reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and a multilateral international system with the United Nations at its core based on international law.

In the Chair's Statement issued here on Saturday by the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Asian and European leaders also reiterated their support to peaceful resolution of international disputes through political and diplomatic efforts.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take practical steps to prevent and combat terrorism with reference to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy while condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,

The leaders had in-depth exchanges over international and regional situation. They supported the progress of the integration process of East Asia, ASEAN and South Asia, and welcomed the signing of the ASEAN Charter including the proposed creation of an ASEAN Human Rights Body and the delivery of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint. They discussed the development of European Union's integration process and acknowledged that since its inception, this process had promoted peace, stability and development in Europe.

The leaders had also exchanged views on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear issue during the summit.

The ASEM seventh summit was held in Beijing on 24 and 25 October 2008.

The Meeting was the first gathering of the leaders of 45 members of ASEM since its second round of enlargement.