ASEM leaders to call for strengthening of strategic partnership+

BRUSSELS, Sept. 29 Kyodo - Asian and European leaders at next week's Asia-Europe Meeting will declare a policy of hammering out more concrete policies toward strengthening the strategic partnership, according to a draft chair's statement obtained
Wednesday.

The leaders will prioritize their discussions on global economic governance and
climate change, but will also cover other crucial topics including sustainable
development, piracy at sea, reform of the U.N. system, and nuclear
non-proliferation.
However, the item ''concrete political and regional issues'' in the draft is a
blank column to be ''supplied separately'' at the talks. Wording in the
statement on the upcoming elections in Myanmar, the situation in North Korea,
and Iran's nuclear program will apparently be subject to discussions at the
summit.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao are both
scheduled to attend the summit on Oct. 4 and 5, and there is a possibility they
will discuss the maritime collisions earlier this month near a chain of
disputed islets.
The draft says there is a need for more result-oriented initiatives to
''strengthen the comprehensive, equal and mutually beneficial Asia-Europe
strategic partnership for sustainable development, a partnership that goes
beyond aid.''
It also mentions greater integration of financial markets of Asia and Europe,
freight and transportation linkages, and transfers of technology to help bridge
the digital divide among ASEM partners.
On the scheme of bilateral cohesion between the two parts of the world, the
draft chair's statement said, ''Leaders reaffirmed the strategic dialogue and
cooperation between Asia and Europe on the basis of equal partnership, mutual
respect and benefit.''
According to the draft, on the economic part which is first to be touched on,
it said, ''As a first priority, the demand for goods and services as well as
investments have to be encouraged since they are the drivers of economic growth
and job creation across countries.''
''To this effect, the progressive liberalization of domestic and international
markets must be pursued,'' it said.
''Leaders further agree that all forms of trade protectionism should be
rejected and that existing tariff and non-tariff barriers should be rolled back
without delay,'' the draft added.
On the part of climate change, the leaders will underline the necessity to
address global climate change and to recognize in this regard the centrality
and legitimacy of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change process.
They are set to agree that the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol Conferences of Parties
in Cancun, taking into account the work done so far, should concretely address
the remaining gaps on all major issues.
The draft said, ''Leaders agreed that deep cuts in global emissions are
required, recognizing the scientific view that the increase in global
temperature should be below 2 C, and to take action to meet this objective
consistent with science and the principles of the UNFCCC.''
For the actual plan of action, ''Leaders welcomed the commitments of the
European partners, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to provide fast-start
financing with new and additional resources over the 2010-2012 period and to
transparent reporting at the UNFCCC Conference in Cancun.''
The meeting will officially welcome Australia, New Zealand and Russia as new
ASEM partners.
==Kyodo