ASEM was set up as an informal platform to encourage dialogue between European and Asian states. The aim of the ministerial meetings, biannual summits of heads of state and government and biannual meetings of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) is to discuss political, security and economic issues affecting both European and Asian states.
‘20 years of ASEM: The role of Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership in ASEM’ is the theme of this year’s meeting, at which participants will address the topics
Connectivity and Effective Multilateralism and
Partnership for the Future. In accordance with one of the strategic focuses of Swiss foreign policy, the strengthening and diversification of international partnerships and the intensification of multilateral engagement, the Swiss delegation at the ASEP9 meeting will endeavour to contribute to greater networking and understanding between Europe and Asia, and advocate greater involvement of civil society.
The parliamentary aspect of ASEM are the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership meetings, first launched in Strasbourg in 1996, which take place on a rotating basis in Europe and Asia. These meetings are held before the ASEM summits and bring together parliamentarians from the ASEM member states and the European Parliament.
ASEM/ASEP currently comprises the 28 EU states, Norway, Switzerland and the European Commission, as well as the ten ASEAN states, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Russian Federation and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Bern, 20 April 2016 Parliamentary Services