Koizumi Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday called for greater cooperation on global trade and stronger regional economic ties as part of efforts to narrow the wealth gap between Asia and Europe.

"We need to make the best use of ASEM's existing dialogue mechanisms, commit ourselves to open regionalism and increase the sharing of experience on regional economic integration," Wen told leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here.

He said the international community needed to push for an early and smooth completion of the World Trade Organization's Doha agenda, after the WTO's 148 member countries failed last year to revive the global trade talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Amid deep divisions between developed and developing countries, China is suspected to be

among a group of nations, including Brazil and India, whose opposition to farm subsidies by developed countries led to a breakdown of the talks.

"In such areas as poverty reduction, social development, restructuring and public health, we need to give more support to the developing members in this region, particularly the poor," Wen said.

He urged the newly expanded ASEM to cooperate more closely to fight the scourge of global terrorism and other factors destabilising to world peace.

These issues should be addressed through multilateral cooperation and international relations improved, Wen said.

"Against the backdrop of a complex international situation, it serves the common interests of Asia and Europe to foster a favourable regional as well as international security environment."

The fight against terrorism has been at the forefront of topics during the two-day summit in the Vietnamese capital, with leaders calling for the United Nations needs to spearhead the fight against international terrorism.

Separately, Japanese Prime Minsister Junichiro Koizumi said that Tokyo's relationship with its giant neighbour could only grow in importance.

At a press briefing following the conclusion of the summit of 25 European and 13 Asian countries, Koizumi said China's growing economic might posed no risk to Japan.

"The importance (of the relationship) only grows larger and will never shrink," he said.

"Thanks to economic development in China, there has been a rapid increase in Japanese exports to China and trade volume has grown apace," Koizumi said.