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| ASEM officials forecast pick－up in economy, closer cooperation |
| CCTV.COM 2003-07-23 09:07:58 |
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The fifth Asia－Europe Economic Ministers Meeting has opened with a high－level forum attended by economic ministers and industrial leaders. The participants have expressed an optimistic outlook for the world economy, and foreseen closer trade and investment ties between the two continents.
The global economic outlook and Asian－Europe cooperation topped the agenda at Tuesday's forum. Although growth among developed countries remains subdued and the world economy continues to face short－term uncertainties, officials expressed confidence that growth would accelerate in the near future.
Malaysian vice minister of international trade and industry said, "After SARS and the Iraq war, the world economy will be back to normal. In East Asia, China will be back to normal. South East Asia will not be much affected. All over, economic growth in the second half of this year will be promising."
Director general for trade of Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "It has been a really difficult time over the last two years, aggravated by SARS and Iraq. But now conditions should point to improvement and that could give a good foundation for Asia－Europe cooperation."
Against this backdrop, officials mapped out new visions for Asian－European cooperation. In his keynote speech to the forum, Chinese Commerce Minister Lu Fuyuan made a four－point proposal to enhance cooperation between the two sides, namely, continuing to adopt open policies for trade and economic development, tapping the full potential of present ASEM mechanism, taking account of the needs of individual member states and encouraging business communities to exercise more creativity.
Since the establishment of ASEM, the two regions have stepped up cooperation in such areas as customs procedures, animal and plant quarantine procedures, intellectual property rights and e－commerce. This year's forum aims to identify new priorities for cooperation.
Participants at the forum are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the global economy. They are also upbeat about future cooperation between the two continents. Though the forum does not provide any substantial policy initiatives, it is yet effort to move away from a traditional "aid and trade" Asian－European relationship towards a more balanced one based on equal partnership.
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Editor: Yang Feiyang CCTV.com
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