Cambodia as the host of the 13th Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM13) has sent out an official invitation to all ASEM leaders with the majority, including the President of the European Council confirming their attendance for the two-day virtual meeting scheduled to be held starting November 25.
The ASEM 13 themed ‘Strengthening Multilaterism for Shared Growth’ will be co-chaired with Slovenia as the President of the European Council.
This was disclosed at the two-day Asia-European Summit Officials’ Meeting (ASEM SOM) which concluded on September 17 which was participated by 51 ASEM SOM leaders as well as high representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, the European Union, and the Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary of state Luy David said the Cambodian ASEM team had worked very hard for the streamlining drafts outcome documents for the ASEM13.
“Many ASEM partners expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s efforts during the ASEM SOM meeting which was co-chaired by Cambodia and Slovenia. Indeed, we had a good and productive discussion on the Chair’s Statement”, he said on Friday.
All decisions of the ASEM leaders have to apply by consensus, as the same as ASEAN, he added.
In order to submit any documents to the ASEM leaders, David said the ASEM SOM has to discuss step by step from Europe side to Asia side, and then all the members, including the Europe council and ASEAN Secretariat.
During this two-day meeting, he added that the ASEM SOM leaders discussed at length the draft of the ASEM13 Chair’s Statement to be adopted at the ASEM13. ASEM SOM leaders agreed to have another round of drafting session later this month to discuss some remaining issues.
He said all participants lauded Cambodia and Slovenia for co-hosting the meeting in the spirit of maintaining ASEM momentum towards a successful ASEM13.
David added that three important documents were drafted for ASEM leaders, including Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-Covid-19 Socio-Economic Recovery, the chair‘s statement, and the ASEM connectivity.
The initial ASEM partnership in 1996 consisted of just 15 EU member states and seven ASEAN member states plus China, Japan, South Korea, and the European Commission.
Today ASEM comprises 51 partner countries: the 28 Member States of the European Union plus Norway and Switzerland on the European side coordinated by Slovenia and the 10 ASEAN countries plus Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan on the Asian side coordinated by Russia. It also includes two institutional partners: the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.
This article was first published in Khmer Times. All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.
