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 The
fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 5) closed in Ha Noi on
Saturday noon with the attendance of head delegates, ministers
and senior officials of 39 ASEM members.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Prime Minister
Phan Van Khai said: "ASEM 5 will go down into history as the
first summit of an enlarged ASEM, a summit of bold vision and
strong resolve to elevate the Asia-Europe partnership into a
new stage of substantive and effective cooperation,
particularly in the economic and cultural domains".
Reviewing discussions at ASEM 5, PM Khai said the
summit focused on political dialogues, economic cooperation
and the future of the ASEM. He stressed the results of these
discussions demonstrated the Leaders' high sense of
responsibility and commitment to the future of ASEM
partnership and ASEM contributions to securing peace, security
and development in the world.
Prime Minister Vanhanen Matti Taneli of Finland,
host of the next ASEM Summit in 2006, thanked Viet Nam for its
success in organising the ASEM 5. He said the Ha Noi summit is
of historical significance and a landmark for a new step of
ASEM development.
The Finnish leader informed that the sixth ASEM
would be held in Helsinki, Finland, on Sept. 14-15, 2006.
<i>International
newspapers cover Ha Noi ASEM</i>
The
Japanese press has over the last two days carried articles on
the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM V) in Ha Noi.
Top
Newspapers in Japan such as Asahi, Sankei and Nikkon Keizai
and the television channels have constantly updated events and
developments relating to the activities of the delegations in
Ha Noi, as well as covering the meetings between leaders of
Viet Nam and Japan, China, the EU and other member countries
on the sideline of the summit.
In
Hong Kong, major papers on Saturday carried illustrations of
the opening ceremony and the activities of Chinese Premier Wen
Jibao at the meeting.
The
South China Morning Post published an article saying all the
Vietnamese people are proud of hosting such an important
international event with the attendance of 39 world leaders
and high-level officials from the two continents.
In Thailand, the major newspapers in
Bangkok also published articles and pictures about this
significant event. "Manager" newspaper carried 11 pictures
reflecting various aspects of the preparatory process,
activities and enlargment ceremony
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