The 10th Asia-Europe Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok today is a good opportunity to explore areas of cooperation to enhance economic and cultural linkages and also create investment and employment opportunities, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said on Monday morning.

“I do earnestly hope that this forum will provide fruitful cooperation that will lead to greater inter-regional trade and investment," he said.

"We hope to see Asia-Europe trade without stern protectionism, especially during this hard turbulent time.

Kittiratt: Fruitful cooperation will lead to greater inter-regional trade and investment.

(Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

"We hope to see capital, both direct and portfolio investment, flow freely in Eurasia,” said Mr Kittiratt.

With the current economic difficulties faced by some countries in the eurozone, International Monetary Fund (IMF) mechanisms were needed to prevent transcontinental crises, he said.

He hoped the meeting would produce solutions or create an atmosphere conducive to a stronger and stable situation that would set the world economy back on track.

Mr Kittiratt said Thailand had witnessed an immense trans-Eurasia investment, with both continents playing the role of bost host and recipient.

In 2011, almost US$1 trillion of goods traversed the continent to European destinations. More than $600 billion of European goods entered through Asian ports.

“With the ongoing economic difficulties of some countries in the eurozone, I believe that our cooperation is more crucial than ever,” Mr Kittiratt said.