Asian nations avoided discussing the contentious succession at the top of the IMF at a 46-nation Asia-Europe meeting as Australia said regional aspirations to the post were legitimate.
"When it comes to East Asia, it is equally legitimate to have strong candidates from this region as well," Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the Asian-European Meeting (ASEM) wrapped up.
"Asia represents now the dynamic new element in the global economy, in particular in finance ... It is the driving force of the 21st century," Mr Rudd said while acknowledging that French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde had the expertise to do the job.
While the core criteria for the top IMF job was competence and not geography, Rudd emphasised the rapidly growing economic impact of Asia which will account for some 40 percent of global economic output in a decade or two.
Emerging powers, many in Asia have been highly critical of Europe's stranglehold on the leadership of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund, which has always been headed by a European since its inception in 1944.
Earlier, Laos and Hungary voiced support for the French candidate.
"I did not hear the view of other colleagues from other countries," said Laotian Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, confirming that the IMF succession had not been officially discussed at the ASEM talks.
However, Laos found Lagarde's candidacy "appropriate."
"I think a successor is appropriate from Europe and from France," Sisoulith said as the talks in Godollo wrapped up.
The host of the event, Hungary, also expressed its firm support for the French bid, calling Lagarde "by far the best candidate."
"It is not because the EU is in a crisis, which has to be handled. It is just the opposite," Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi said.
"The IMF needs deep restructuring, a comprehensive reform," in which the EU has the best experience, Martonyi reasoned.
Lagarde has embarked on a world tour aimed at overcoming opposition in emerging countries to her bid to lead the IMF, following the arrest in New York of fellow French citizen Dominique Strauss-Kahn
With three of the so-called BRICS emerging powers - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - attending the ASEM talks, diplomats had expected some friction on the issue in Godollo.
Diplomatic sources said the issue had come up only in informal talks and caused no tension.
AFP