ASEM 6

We have now come to the end of the Sixth ASEM Summit. I truly feel that this has been a historic meeting.

First of all, our partnership celebrated its tenth anniversary. A decade ago a new era started in Asia-Europe relations. In the wake of globalisation and the ever-growing global interdependence, ASEM has become the engine behind stronger relations between our two regions in all fields. Ten years of dialogue and cooperation provide us with a very solid foundation and allow us to set clear orientations for the future.

We need to keep on working to reinforce our partnership, and keep in mind ASEM's open and evolutionary character. The Helsinki Summit has led to a significant widening of the process. We have taken an important decision about enlargement of the ASEM partnership. We warmly welcome Bulgaria and Romania, as acceding countries on the European side, and India, Pakistan, Mongolia and the ASEAN Secretariat on the Asian side as new partners. I personally very much look forward to welcoming these new partners when we meet in two years from now. Their inclusion shows that ASEM is a dynamic process and continues to attract new partners.

The Summit has furthermore contributed to an important deepening of our partnership. In true ASEM spirit we held open, informal and frank discussions on many issues. I firmly believe that our deliberations have brought both our regions closer together in defining joint responses to global challenges, the overarching motto of this Summit. In addition to the Chairman's Statement, which reflects our discussions, the Summit has adopted two important declarations. The ASEM6 Declaration on Climate Change is a strong signal to the world that ASEM intends to tackle the threat that climate change poses to sustainable development. This is ASEM at its best. The Helsinki Declaration on the Future of ASEM sets general principles to take the ASEM process forward and make our partnership even stronger.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the closing stages of this Summit I would like to thank you all for your important contributions.

Before giving the floor to the Chinese Premier as the host of the next Summit, I propose we first look back to the very beginnings of our partnership. Ten years ago Leaders from both our regions attended a landmark first ASEM Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. I would therefore now like to invite Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand to make some retrospective remarks as host of the inaugural Summit.

In two years from now we will meet again in Beijing. I am convinced that China as the next host will ensure that the Asia-Europe partnership continues to enhance dialogue and cooperation between both our regions. I would now like to invite Premier Wen Jiabao to give his closing remarks, looking ahead to ASEM7.

I am sure that the organisation of our next meeting is in good hands, and I look forward to the next Summit. The time has now come to formally close this Summit. As the host of the Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting I thank you very much for your attendance and participation.