Asian, European foreign ministers highlight cooperation on climate change, connectivity

Foreign ministers from Asian and European countries agreed to strengthen cooperation on climate change, connectivity at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Federica Mogherini, the European Union foreign policy chief said at the press conference on Friday.

The meeting brought together 53 delegations, accounting for around 60 percent of global population, GDP and trade, Mogherini said, adding that, through the discussion and decisions, "We can make a difference in the world."

Under the theme of "Working Together for a Sustainable and Secure Future", foreign ministers exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, including climate change, sustainable development and connectivity, according to the chair's statement issued after the two-day meeting.

On the main topic of climate change, ministers expressed their resolve to work towards the success of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties in Paris. "We agreed to put all efforts to make Paris conference a success," Mogherini said.

Ministers also agreed to enhance connectivity into all relevant ASEM cooperation frameworks and to further explore the possible establishment of a working group on connectivity in the statement.

They stressed stronger trade and investment relations between the two regions as a means for deeper economic integration and connectivity between Asia and Europe.

ASEM is an intergovernmental forum for dialogue and cooperation which fosters political dialogue, reinforces economic cooperation and promotes collaboration in other areas of common interest.

The initial ASEM partnership in 1996 consisted of 15 EU member states and 7 ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, South Korea and the European Commission.

The 20th anniversary ASEM Summit will be held in Mongolia in July 2016 with the aim to determine the direction of ASEM for the next decade. Endit