By NNN-KUNA
Sharm El-Sheikh : Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit has hailed the second ministerial meeting of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED II) as a “positive step towards enhanced dialogue between nations of both regions.”
“The just-ended event laid the groundwork for practical, profound and lasting dialogue to serve the common interests of the nations of the two regions,” Abul-Gheit said in a press briefing here Sunday.
“The dialogue provided a platform for tapping the huge potentials of cooperation between the two regions in the light of their rich natural and human resources,” he said.
“The two regions enjoy rare cultural, historical and civilisational similarities that provide the ground for practical and viable integration in all areas.
“AMED II gave momentum to the aspirations of the nations of both regions for sustainable socio-economic development, restoring the balance of the world order and promoting the values of social peace, coexistence and tolerance,” he said.
AMED II has adopted “The Declaration of Principles of Friendship and Cooperation among Neighbouring Countries”.
“The document reaffirms commitment to international conventions governing state-to-state relations and promoting social peace, coexistence, tolerance and mutually-beneficial cooperation,” the minister noted.
“It envisages enhanced partnership among the governments, the private sectors and civil society institutions of the participant countries in the areas of economic cooperation, energy, environment, youth and sports, women empowerment, and science and technology.
“It reaffirms commitment of the participant countries to the war against terrorism which runs counter to the holy faith and poses grave risks to all communities of the world,” Abul-Gheit pointed out.
Egypt has handed over the chairmanship of AMED to Thailand, he said, pledging to cooperate with the Southeast Asian country during the coming years to ensure success of AMED III.
The two-day AMED II ministerial meeting started here on Saturday under the theme “Partnership in Action Towards a Better Future.”
AMED was initiated by then Prime Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong, now Senior Minister, to foster dialogue and mutual understanding as well as strengthen cooperation between Asia and the Middle East in different areas.
Singapore hosted the inaugural AMED in June 2005, themed “Common Interests and Common Challenges.”