These initiatives related to climate change, economic development and cooperation, information technology development and research, urban development, intellectual property rights, dialogue on faiths and cultures and many other areas.

During the two-day meeting, the Foreign Ministers stressed the need to boost economic cooperation among ASEM member countries, saying closer cooperation and dialogue between Asia and Europe is of great significance for promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity between the two continents and the rest of the world.

They said that ASEM should continue to play an active and responsible role in addressing global challenges, especially climate change, energy security, maritime security, epidemic prevention and anti-terrorism.  

They agreed that the enlargement of ASEM will help the grouping enhance cooperation and dialogue and cope with global challenges at present and in future. To this end, they welcomed Australia and Russia’s proposals to join the grouping and assigned their senior officials to discuss and prepare necessary procedures so that the two countries will be admitted to ASEM at its 8^th summit to be held in Brussels in 2010. 

The FMs shared the view that the global economic and financial crisis has exerted negative effects on economic development, employment generation and social links, especially in developing countries. It has slowed down investment flows, barred the development of trade and investment between Asia and Europe, and posed a threat to financial stability and economic development of all member countries.

However, they acknowledged the efforts made by the international community to minimise the impact of the crisis, appreciated initiatives, including those put forward by G20 and underlined the need to act to revive the global economy. They forecast that the global economy is likely to pick up in 2010.

They expressed their deep concern about serious challenges facing the whole world and called for close coordination between the World Health Organisation, ASEM and other international institutions to prevent influenza A/H1N1 spreading. They welcomed the efforts made by the affected countries to combat influenza and called for new initiatives to effectively respond to pandemics.

The FMs called for closer ASEM cooperation to address climate change, saying biodiversity and forest protection is vital to economic, social and ecological balance. They also called for quick realisation of the Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Helsinki Statement on Global Climate Change.

They stressed the need to hold dialogue between cultures and civilisations and welcomed Poland’s initiative to host the 4^th ASEM Cultural Ministers’ Meeting in 2010 to discuss the issue. They also welcomed China’s proposal to host an ASEM cultural and art festival in September 2009.

The FMs vowed to actively participate in the equal partnership between the two continents to maintain peace and stability and create favourable conditions for sustainable socio-economic development, in the interests of their people.