HELSINKI, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from 38 Asian and European countries ended their two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit on Monday, putting emphasis on multilateralism and climate change.

    "We confirm ASEM's mission as a partnership between equals to multilateralism and a fair, just and rule-based international order with a strong UN at the core," reads a declaration on the future of ASEM adopted by the leaders.

    The leaders underlined that modern challenges and threats recognize no national boundaries, are interlinked and require common solutions.

    They also emphasized the importance of multilateral efforts for strengthening disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

    The leaders underlined multilateralism in the fight against terrorism. "They reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism, which still poses a threat to the international community, and underlined the need for a comprehensive approach," said the chairman's statement, a summary of the two day's work.

    The leaders asked for dialogue among cultures and civilizations, which they believed is an essential step in addressing the root causes of terrorism and an investment toward broader security.

    The leaders started their second day of work with a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and of all other acts of random violence.

    The second day of the summit falls on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks which killed about 3,000 people in the United States.

    The leaders emphasized the need to promote tolerance and understanding, and to overcome ignorance, misperceptions and prejudice as one way of addressing the root causes of terrorism.

    They firmly condemned the use of violence in the name of religion, denouncing any stereotyping on the basis of religion and reiterating their determination to stand united in the global efforts to cultivate a culture of peace, to increase mutual respect and to build confidence amongst people of all faiths.

    Security challenges, including the fight against terrorism, was a major topic at the ASEM summit.

    ASEM leaders were obviously trying to strike a different note on the issue of terrorism as the American approach has sparked controversy in Europe.

    U.S. President George W. Bush has for the first time confirmed the existence of secret CIA prisons overseas for suspected terrorists.

    In a statement to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso did not give direct reference to Bush's admission, but indicated the European Union (EU)'s reservations on the American approach.

    "Our response (to terrorism) must be to stand up for our values, namely respect for human rights, which are the surest guarantee of our future security," said the statement.