BRUSSELS -- The Munich Security Conference (MSC) ended Sunday after three days of discussions over ways to maintain global security in a changing world fraught with hardships.

Themed "A World In Disarray -- Shifting Powers -- Lack Of Strategies," the 48th MSC addressed a wide spectrum of topics ranging from the repositioning of US military power to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East and to the mounting difficulties in sustaining security under increasing financial pressure.

This year's conference was attended by over 350 delegates from more than 70 countries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun.

Changes in European security

In a defense strategy published in January, US President Barack Obama said his country will shift its focus eastward to the rising Asia-Pacific region, which has invited whispers that the United States is abandoning its old allies in Europe.

Washington's recent announcement that it would withdraw two brigades from Europe has given rise to even more concerns over the prospect of the trans-Atlantic partnership.

In a gesture to assure their European counterparts that the United States would not abandon its allies, Clinton and Panetta both appeared at the conference and restated that the United States will stay engaged on the continent.

"That's not only because the peace and prosperity of Europe is critically important to the US, but because Europe remains our security partner of choice," Panetta said.

Facing a daunting military budget cut of 470 billion US dollars in the next 10 years, the United States also urged Europe to shoulder more responsibility and better coordinate with the United States in handling global and regional security issues.

"We must all continue to invest in national defense and in the shared responsibility and capabilities of NATO in order to best manage the security challenges of the future," Panetta said.

Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger agreed that the trans-Atlantic community should not limit its mission to the Europe-Atlantic region.

But still some participants voiced their skepticism, saying that, with the debt crisis as a stumbling block, European states face immense difficulties in making a breakthrough in enhancing their defense.

Shift of focus to Asia

With Asian countries becoming more crucial players in the global economy and politics, the United States announced in last month's defense strategy that it would increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

A MSC forum themed "The United States, Europe and Rising Asia" addressed the US initiative, which could potentially reshape global politics.

Speaking at the forum, Zhang, the Chinese vice foreign minister, stressed China's dedication to maintaining regional stability, and also warned against outside interference in regional affairs.

Countries outside Asia should fully respect the will of the Asian people and follow the development trend in Asia, he said.

He pointed out that any move to hype the military and security agenda, create tension or strengthen a military presence or military alliance runs counter to the trend of the times and popular will in Asia.

US Senator John McCain, on the same panel with Zhang, acknowledged China's concerns. "A renewed US focus on the Asia-Pacific should not be focused on any one country. The continued peaceful development of China is in our interest," McCain said.

While the United States is shifting its focus, Europe must adopt a positive policy towards Asia, Ischinger said, adding that Europe should act not only as an exporter of advanced technologies and automobiles to Asia, but also as a political and security partner.

Tackling difficulties

As the greater part of the world has been struggling with financial woes in recent years, defense building is inevitably slipping on many countries' priority lists.

In Europe, the financial hardship is not only straining the military budget, but also eroding mutual trust between European Union members. Mutual trust must be reestablished if the bloc wants to solidify its integrated defense projects.

The eurozone must avoid stoking discontent among its members in dealing with the debt crisis, said Italy's Monti.

For his part, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called for new approaches and extensive participation in what he called Smart Defense: to "utilize limited resources more intelligently and efficiently" against the background of the contagious and chronic eurozone debt crisis.

Financial trouble is surely not the only threat against global security, as waves of unrest swept through the Middle East last year, toppling long-standing leaders and bringing profound changes to the region.

Syria, now the hottest spot in the regional turmoil, was spared of UN sanctions Saturday. But as the Arab League, the United States and the European Union have vowed to take drastic measures against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, military confrontation in the Middle East remains a threat.

Bridging differences

As the bite of Western sanctions is taking its toll on the Iranian economy and people, delegates are debating the appropriate approach to the Iranian nuclear issue.

Delegates from both Turkey and Qatar favored a diplomatic approach, warning a military showdown is an ineffective solution that may prove catastrophic to the region.

US Senator Joseph Lieberman took a hawkish stance, saying that the United States will use all measures, including attacking Iran, to stop the country's alleged quest for nuclear weapons.

Another thorny issue at the conference is the European missile project that has drawn strong protest from Russia, which accuses the project of posing a threat to its strategic interests.

Despite previous expectations, Western and Russian diplomats failed to to reach consensus during the conference to resume negotiations.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO will proceed with the missile project regardless of the outcome of the negotiations with Russia.

The first batch of equipment will be put into use this May, he said.