Vientiane, maritime conflicts and economic crisis focus of Asia/Europe summit
Vientiane (AsiaNews/agencies)-The Eurozone debt crisis and escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region will be the main themes of the summit between European and Asian leaders, scheduled for today in Laos. At least 50 heads of State and Government have gathered in the capital Vientiane, for a major summit lasts two days, called to provide concrete answers to the problems on the agenda. Those taking part include French President Francois Hollande and the Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. They have been tasked with reassuring Asian colleagues that the financial problems in Europe are-after a long time-under control and there will be no more meltdowns.
The EU's diplomatic offensive is another sign of the growing importance that Brussels places on the Nations of Asia, among the few to register rapid development. This has been confirmed by the head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who said that "Asia's importance in terms of economic development increases each day, ".
Also attending the summit is European President Herman Van Rompuy, but German Chancellor Angela Merkel -at the weekend warned it will take "more than five years" out of the crisis in Europe-- is absent delegating representation to her Foreign Minister.
The Europe-Asia Meeting is held every two years and provides a platform to strengthen economic partnerships, commercial and diplomatic ties between the Nations of the two continents which, added together, count for half of the world's GDP. An opportunity also stressed by Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario who calls on Europe to "look to Asia for greater economic investment".
The aim of European leaders is twofold: to counter the growing U.S. influence in the area (the European Nations for decades have been relegated to the margins) and get Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to invest a portion of three trillion in foreign currencies-the largest world reserve money -in the EU rescue funds.
Some Asian Nations, including Manila, are also bringing to the agenda the increasingly strong tensions in the Pacific region, around the sea border and territorial sovereignty. In the South China Sea and the East China Sea fierce disputes have arisen pitting Beijing against other Nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan. However, the Chinese side is posing strong resistance and continues to opt for bilateral talks with each country to resolve disputes.
A strengthening of strategic economic and trade partnership between Asia and Europe, particularly the countries of the South-East, has been helped by the path of democratisation marked by the Burmese Government in Myanmar, which in two years has brought reforms and the release of-the-political prisoners, including leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Security issues will also be discussed at the two day summit such as the Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, as well as the Syrian conflict, the fight against international terrorism, climate change and piracy.
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