European and Asian countries should cooperate closely in the development and deployment of climate-friendly technologies that reduce manmade causes of climate change, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said during a summit in Beijing, China.

The transformation of the countries' economies to conform to low carbon criteria would bring long-term benefits and create new investment opportunities and jobs, he said.

"Fast-growing economies that are dependent on coal, like China and India, are wise to invest in clean coal technologies. Other economies, even small countries like Malta, have an interest in the development of renewables, such as deep-water wind farms in our case," Dr Gonzi said.

Leaders from 45 Asian and European countries, together with the European Commission, met in China to discuss global current issues. Dr Gonzi returns today.