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Germany eyes Asia as

region recovers

from economic crisis

SINGAPORE: Asia is the top priority for Germany this year as the region recovers from the financial crisis, the Straits Times said on Saturday.

Germany's Secretary of State Wolfgang Ischinger told the newspaper that ministers would be travelling to Asia this year to solidify ties.

"This is a year where, in terms of foreign policy, Germany is beginning to re-emphasise her focus on Asia," he said.

Ischinger, currently in Singapore for the Europe Asia Forum, said Germany had more problems than it could handle last year including the Kosovo crisis.

"That kept us extremely busy within our region. But now we are reaching out more actively again," he said, adding that with the improved economic climate, Germany could cooperate with Singapore and other Asian countries on economic issues and regional security.

Ischinger said Germany was planning to allow foreigners with computer skills to work in the country.

"We are now moving into a more balanced relationship where countries in Asia have just as much technology to offer. It's going to be a more equitable relationship," he said.

The two-day meeting here, which started Friday, brings business leaders and economists from Asia and Europe to discuss the future of the region following the financial crisis that erupted in mid-1997.

It is the third Europe Asia Forum with about 50 high-level people from the 15 countries of the European Union and 10 East Asian countries.ÑAFP