BEIJING, Sept. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The Asian parties can play a unique role in promoting regional cooperation, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said Sunday at the closing ceremony of the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

    "Promoting the sound development of the ICAPP and giving full play to the unique role of Asian political parties in promoting regional cooperation is the common goal of all Asian political parties and politicians," said Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the conference's organizing committee.

    Delegates achieved broad consensus through frank and in-depth discussions and they contributed to increasing understanding and trust between countries and between political parties throughout Asia, promoting peace, stability and unity in Asia, and fostering regional cooperation and common development, he said.

    Representatives from 81 political parties or organizations of 35 Asian countries attended the three-day meeting, which began Friday in Beijing. It was the first of its kind hosted by the CPC.

    "Since it was established in 2000, the ICAPP has become an important forum where different countries and parties with different ideologies in the region exchange political ideas, search for political consensus and increase mutual understanding and trust, as well as a platform for promoting international cooperation," Liu said.

    The ICAPP embodied a spirit of seeking consensus and common development and constituted a new model for promoting Asian regional cooperation by utilizing the unique role of political parties, he added.

    "All countries should work together to keep the ICAPP on the right track and preserve its fine traditions and to continuously enrich the content and tap the potential of international cooperation among political parties so as to support Asian regional cooperation and spur its development," he said. Enditem