BEIJING, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Delegates attending the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) here called on Asian countries to strengthen cooperation in energy area to maintain the sustainable development in Asia.

  In Beijing Declaration issued at the ICAPP, which ended on Sunday, they agreed "energy issues are central to the economic security and sustainable development of all countries, and the safety of energy resources is a problem facing the entire international community."

  "Cooperation in energy can become an important component of Asian regional cooperation. Countries in the region should expand dialogue and cooperation on the basis of the principles of mutual benefits and win-win solutions and jointly promote sustainable development in Asia," it said.

  Meanwhile, the declaration said all Asian countries should choose their own development path and development model in accordance with local conditions, strengthen coordination,exchanges and cooperation in the areas of economic and social development, and work to create an external environment beneficial for development.

  "They should work together to develop a new concept of development, explore new ways of thinking about development, expand the connotation of development, and work hard to promote coordinated and sustainable economic and social development, urban and rural development, and development of both human beings and nature throughout the region."

  As for the issue of party building, the declaration said as all the Asian countries progress toward modernization, their political parties should constantly adjust to the requirements of the development of the times.

  "In order to achieve social and political stability and contribute to their country's modernization, political parties should promote clean and efficient government through various measures of party building, and effectively integrate all the country's internal relationships by strengthening ties with the parliament, the government and the civil society," it added.

  Over 350 delegates of 81 political parties and organizations from 35 countries participated in the Third ICAPP.

  The theme of this year's meeting is "Exchange, Cooperation and Development," and major topics include regional security and multilateral cooperation, economic growth and social progress, party building and national development. 

  Enditem