Individual businessmen, academics, artists and students of both continents, especially our young people, must be brought closer together. Secondby, having recognised the opportunities presented by the economic dynamism of Asia and explored the full range of our complementarities, let us embark on a new partnership to maximise mutual co-operation for long term benefits. Thirdby, we should set up a common agenda for the future. There could be no economic progress without peace and security. We ought to cooperate within the United Nations and the Asean Regional Forum to promote nuclear non-proliferation, conventional arms control and preventive diplomacy through confidence building measures.
Economic progress goes hand in hand with social advancement.
The one conditions and reinforces the other. Each side is to achieve a proper balance, taking into account local conditions, with an eye on gradual and harmonious convergence. Economic growth should not be at the expense of the environment. While persuing our economic well-being, we should cooperate to make sure we endow future generations with a clean and healthy environment. But I see it as a crucial turning point in our relations and the emergence of a consensus on the need to engage in a new and comprehensive partnership.