Asia – Europe working together for a sustainable and secure future
The 12th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM12) was held in Luxembourg on 5-6 November 2015. The meeting was attended by Foreign Ministers, or their high-level representatives, of 51 Asian and European countries, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
It was hosted by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, and chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. This meeting built upon progress achieved at the ASEM FMM11 held in New Delhi in November 2013.
Under the theme ‘Working Together for a Sustainable and Secure Future’, Ministers exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues and global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction and management, as well as connectivity. Bearing in mind that the Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM) will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2016, Ministers assessed the past achievements of ASEM since its founding in Bangkok in 1996 and discussed its future direction for the next decade.
Ministers re-affirmed that ASEM is an important platform for political dialogue, economic cooperation and cultural and social exchanges between Asia and Europe. Through high-level meetings and an expanding network of common projects, events and exchanges, ASEM works towards achieving greater understanding, addressing global and regional challenges, and promoting peace, stability, security, prosperity, human rights and sustainable development for all. While maintaining the informal nature of the dialogue and cooperation within the ASEM framework on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and mutual benefit, Ministers stressed that ASEM should continue to strengthen coordination and engage in concrete and tangible cooperation activities that would bring added value to the people of Asia and Europe and that would enhance ASEM’s relevance and visibility.
Chair’s Statement on 12th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting available here.
