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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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