President Halonen in China: Present economic situation is not a reason to slow down fighting climate change

According to President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen, the present economic situation is not a reason to slow down the process to fight climate change. “We now need a powerful global agreement more than ever”, President Halonen said at the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) in Beijing on 24 October 2008. President Halonen spoke at the opening session as the representative of the previous host country, after the President of China, Hu Jintao. We will overcome the present financial crisis by taking concrete action and by cooperating more closely with each other, said President Halonen. However, the current developments in the financial markets and the world economy will have implications for all of us. ”We believe that we all should approach the call for a genuine reform of the international financial system with an open mind”.

ASEM is an important forum for creating a democratic, legitimate and coherent framework for globalization, President Halonen said. Photo: Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng

ASEM is an important forum for creating a democratic, legitimate and coherent framework for globalization. “The partnership between Asia and Europe has over the past twelve years resulted in a broader political dialogue, stronger economic relations, as well as deeper co-operation in the field of social affairs and cultural exchanges”, President Halonen said. “It helps strengthen the global values, in particular the respect for human rights and the rule of law”.

On Friday, 24, President Halonen also attended a session on international economic and financial situation and a working dinner hosted by Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao. On Thursday, 23 October, President Halonen had bilateral meetings with President of China Hu Jintao and Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung. On Saturday 25, President Halonen gaveve Finland's statement at a working session on sustainable development and met with the President of the Philippines.

ASEM7 addressed global themes such as strengthening multilateralism, the Millennium Development Goals, climate change and energy, dialogue between cultures and religions, strengthening trade and investments between Asia and Europe, and timely regional issues. The global economic situation and how to manage the international financial crisis also were on the agenda. Finland's focuses in ASEM cooperation are climate issues, social development and human rights.

ASEM is a cooperation forum for countries in Europe and Asia, bringing together heads of state and government every other year to discuss timely matters. The previous summit, ASEM6, was held in Finland in autumn 2006. ASEM currently includes 43 member countries plus the European Commission and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Leaders from 45 Asian and European nations have a family photo taken in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng

Opening remarks by President Halonen at the ASEM 7 Summit

ASEM7 Summit