Asia-Europe Meeting: Building Growth and Cooperation

VIENTIANE, Laos—Leaders from Asia and Europe called Tuesday for closer cooperation between the two continents in addressing the current global economic and financial crisis.

The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, also unequivocally affirmed the euro's future.

A two-day Asia-Europe Meeting in Laos was attended by leaders and ministers from 51 countries, including new members Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh.

The meeting, known as ASEM, endorsed closer economic ties between the two continents to promote stronger and sustained growth. Combined, the two regions produce half the world's GDP and have 60 percent of the world's population.

The crisis in Europe has affected not only most economies there but also their trading partners in Asia. But Van Rompuy said there was no sign of Asian resentment that it was being asked to carry its ailing European friends.  Read more here...