Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on Sunday for intensifying cooperation between Asia and Europe to enhance political dialogue and better respond to security threats.

Finland's President Tarja Halonen (L) and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (R) welcome China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to the ASEM 6 meeting in Helsinki on September 10, 2006. [Reuters]

The Chinese premier made the remarks at the 6th summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Wen said safeguarding peace and security and promoting prosperity and development is the common responsibility of Asia and Europe, therefore ASEM members should increase consultation in multilateral mechanisms and support the leading role of the United Nations in international affairs.

"We should strengthen coordination on international and regional issues and intensify our efforts in solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Middle East crisis and other regional issues," he said.

On better responding to traditional security threats, Wen said Asia and Europe should intensify cooperation in practical terms in fighting terrorism and proliferation, and combating transnational crimes in a joint effort to maintain global peace and security.

"China is ready to increase consultation and coordination with other ASEM members through our respective missions to the United Nations and other international agencies, and such channels as the ASEM Conference on Counter-terrorism," he said.

On addressing non-traditional security threats, such as bird flu, Wen said ASEM members should take part in extensive international cooperation, promote the building of a global communicable diseases surveillance and early-warning system and further enhance the international community's capacity in early-warning and emergency response.

"We should also support the initiatives taken by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, strengthen policy coordination and provide greater financial and technical support for developing countries," Wen said.

The two-day summit, which also marks ASEM's 10th anniversary, has gathered leaders from the 25-member European Union and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), plus China, South Korea and Japan.