ASEM Summit stresses partnership (2)

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy as the next Chair of ASEM emphasized that progress was made with Asian leaders on economic, political and socio-cultural issues but admitted that challenges remained for the 2014 chapter of the summit.

"Eurozone is on the right track and growth is expected to pick up in 2013 but in an interlinked world where growth is a worldwide process, both regions need to work together to put the world back on a sustainable growth path," he said at the closing ceremony.

Experience from Asian partners in handling of economic and financial crisis is certainly welcomed as they can and should all learn from each other, Rompuy added.

Two documents -- Vientiane Declaration on Strengthening Partnership for Peace and Development and Chairman's Statement of the Ninth ASEM Summit -- were issued at the end of the informal dialogue.

Established 17 years ago, the original goals of ASEM were to maintain and enhance peace and stability and to promote sustainable economic and social development.

The last time ASEM leaders met was in Brussels during 2010 with economic issues such as reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in focus in the wake of Europe's sovereign debt crisis and a strong rebound of Asian economies.

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