XI'AN, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Delegates attending the Euro-Asia economic forum agreed on Friday that Asia and Europe should enhance comprehensive, extensive and continuous cooperation on energy, tourism, education and finance and on local government cooperation.

    The delegates from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Iran, Mongolia and India, and representatives from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and World Tourism Organization (WTO), reached the consensus at the 2007 Euro-Asia Economic Forum held on Nov. 8 and 9 in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

    The consensus has established common ground in the following respects:

    -- Renew commitment to Euro-Asia strategic cooperation on energy, diversify energy cooperation, safeguard regional energy security and ensure sustainability of all economies in this region; conserve energy and cut emissions, and scale up the R&D and application of energy-saving and environment-friendly technologies; and mobilize the participation of the private sector, research institutions and the civil society.

    -- Expedite the construction of transportation and telecommunication, among other infrastructure projects along the Silk Road as a way to phase in a barrier-free tourism zone that offers the best possible means of free flow; work together at the government level to make visa procedure much simpler for Silk Road tour.

    -- Bring into full play the leading role of development funds, identify a new financing mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Euro-Asian region, and seek to establish a multi-channel mechanism for financial cooperation and develop a sound credit and guarantee system.

    -- Create a "Euro-Asia Educational Cooperation and Consultation Mechanism", facilitate cooperation on human resources and work for mutual recognition of foreign academic credentials.

    -- Promote meaningful communication, provide an enabling information-sharing platform and identify a pragmatic mechanism for cooperation among local governments; make the best of support from central governments in the region to expand cooperation sector wise.