LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Friday that Asia's financial crisis was not yet over and that Europe was ready to work with governments in the region to help restore market confidence and economic growth. Opening a summit of 25 European Union and Asian nations aimed at deepening political and economic links between the two continents, Blair said: "We in Europe have a real opportunity to show that...we are not fair-weather friends, who turn away at the first sign of difficulty." Blair, the host of the two-day summit, said few had predicted the economic difficulties that have recently swept Asia. "Clearly, their impact has been felt first and foremost in Asia itself. But in today's interdependent world, we in Europe cannot afford to turn our backs," he said. "Although much has already been achieved, we are not at the end of the Asian financial crisis." Blair strongly urged governments not to throw up trade barriers to try to shield themselves from the harsh economic winds. "Europe will benefit from an open Asia. Asia will benefit from an open Europe," he said. The two-day conference would also tackle issues such as the environment and child-sex tourism, to demonstrate to voters that the summit was not a mere talking shop but was addressing genuine concerns, Blair said.