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ASEM 5 leaders discuss international developments, global challenges
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21:38
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08/10/2004
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The first closed session on Oct.8 morning of heads of 39 delegations to the on-going fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi focused discussion on the topic of "International Developments and New Global Challenges".
The Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, who chaired the session, underlined that it would further consolidate the commonality of views among ASEM members on major global issues and would lay down guidelines for the enhancement of ASEM cooperation, thereby contributing to the consolidation of world peace and security and enhancing the role of multilateral institutions.
Views were exchanged on such major issues as peace, security and stability, multilateralism, the role of the United Nations, international terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and non-traditional threats.
They shared concern over complicated political and security developments in the world since ASEM 4. A number of leaders raised the issues of Iraq, the Korean Peninsular and Taiwan. They held that these developments have presented both opportunities and challenges to peace and development of all countries and agreed that peace and cooperation remained a prevailing trend in the world.
International terrorism was considered a serious threat to peace, security and sustainable development. Therefore, consensus was reached in further intensifying ASEM cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The leaders emphasized the need for close coordination to deal with new global challenges, such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, organized crimes, drug trafficking, money laundering, infectious diseases, including HlV/AIDS, SARS, environmental degradation, illegal immigration.
To cope with these new global challenges, they agreed, it is necessary to have a common approach through extensive and intensive dialogues, culturally as well, and close cooperation based on international laws, mutual understanding, equality and mutual benefit. In addition, the U.N should play the leading role in preserving international peace and security as well as addressing the pressing issues as noted in the Millennium Declaration. It was emphasized that the biggest international organization should be reformed so that its noble tasks be effectively carried out.
(CPV/VNA)
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