ASEM 6

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Your Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the President of the European Council I would like to officially welcome our Asian partner countries, the Member States of the European Union, and the European Commission to Finland for the Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting. As President Halonen just mentioned, this is a very special occasion, because today we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the ASEM partnership. The Bangkok Summit of 1996 was the beginning of a new era in Asia-Europe relations. It confirmed that our regions are crucial partners in today's interconnected and interdependent world. The Summit here in Helsinki will give us the chance to reflect on the past decade and also to map out the future directions of the process. At the same time it will be an excellent occasion to discuss important current issues on the international agenda.

I am proud to host this meeting as the President of the European Council. For the Finnish EU Presidency, our interaction with Asia is crucial, and today's occasion shows that Asia is a vital partner for the European Union. Our relations are now stronger and more dynamic than ever. ASEM plays a unique role in bringing our two regions together. It allows us to consult each other in an informal, open and free atmosphere, and to lay the foundation for further action. At the previous summit in Hanoi two years ago we therefore re-affirmed ASEM's importance as a framework for fostering the Asia-Europe comprehensive partnership in the twenty-first century. Today, on ASEM's tenth anniversary, we need to work together to further strengthen that partnership. Just to highlight the importance of Asia-Europe cooperation: Today ASEM partners represent 40% of the world’s population, 50% of global GDP and 60% of world trade.

The EU has become a global actor which politically and economically participates in strengthening peace and stability on our own continent and elsewhere. Many of the priorities we have set for our Presidency are relevant for our relations with Asia as well. Let me mention a few examples. Strengthening and reforming the UN as the centrepiece of an effective multilateral system; responding to security threats; addressing climate change and achieving global agreement on how to take the UN climate regime forward; improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy resources; and promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue. We will discuss all these issues with our Asian partners during this Summit.

Please allow me to say a few words on what I think our ambitions should be for this two-day gathering here in Helsinki, by briefly running through the agenda. We will start our meeting today by discussing the multilateral system, the United Nations as its centre, and cooperation to address broad security issues. Asia and Europe stand firmly united in the support of multilateralism. ASEM gives us the chance to address collective security issues such as the prevention of terrorism, organised crime and global health threats. We can coordinate a common policy through dialogue, and translate it into action-oriented initiatives.

"Dialogue among Cultures and Civilisations" will be another topic high on the Summit agenda. We need to take advantage of the diversity of ASEM countries and regions in order to promote dialogue between people of different civilisations, cultures or beliefs. I firmly believe that such a dialogue can foster understanding and tolerance, and can be instrumental in avoiding stereotyping and intercultural misunderstandings. It can also be a tool to prevent the use of violence in the name of religion. Issues such as intercultural and interfaith dialogue, cooperation in education, and the promotion of cultural diversity will therefore be key elements in our deliberations.

Our discussions will furthermore deal with sustainable development, including environment and energy security. Improving the quality of life must go hand in hand with an efficient and environmentally responsible use of all natural, human and economic resources. ASEM provides us with the opportunity to discuss economic and social development in conjunction with environmental protection. Climate change and energy security are at the heart of this debate.

It is needless to say that climate change can have drastic consequences both for Europe and Asia. We need to send a strong message about climate change and our common will to tackle this challenge.

The debate on energy security illustrates well the value-added that ASEM can provide. Both Asia and Europe are major energy consumers. We both face similar challenges and are looking into innovative and renewable energy solutions. I am convinced that there is scope for common approaches and cooperation in energy.

We will also address globalisation and competitiveness. "Globalisation" is the single most important key-concept that marks the past decade. Globalisation equals in the first place opportunities. It has brought us together, and allows us to benefit from increased mutual interdependence. But globalisation also brings with it new challenges. During our Meeting we can explore ways to address structural changes in the global economy, and the means to benefit from globalisation while responding to its challenges.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ten years of dialogue and cooperation have firmly strengthened Asia-Europe relations in all fields. We should build on this solid foundation, and take the process forward. I am very pleased to announce that during this Summit we will make an important decision concerning enlargement of our partnership. We intend to invite India, Mongolia, Pakistan and the ASEAN Secretariat on the Asian side, and Bulgaria and Romania as acceding EU Member States on the European side, to participate in the ASEM process. I am convinced that this enlargement will not only widen, but also significantly deepen Asia-Europe relations.

Distinguished colleagues, dear ASEM friends,

In this age of globalisation Asia and Europe face the same challenges. Now more than ever our two regions need each other. Together we can achieve much more, if we combine our weight in order to find joint responses to global challenges. I am convinced that the Helsinki Summit can be a key building stone to that purpose.

I thank you very much, and I look forward to a stimulating and successful Summit.