Asia-Europe Meeting
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is a major inter-governmental process designed to foster a new comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe. Its goals are to encourage dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation, and create favorable conditions for economic and social development on the two continents.
The First ASEM Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in March 1996. It published a Chairman's Statement and announced the decision to hold a summit of Heads of State and Government every two years. The 10th ASEM Summit, in Milan (Italy) in 2014, accepted Croatia and Kazakhstan as partners, and the number of countries involved rose to 53.
The ASEM rests on three pillars: political dialogue, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural exchanges. Its main activities include the Summits, Foreign Ministers Meetings and other Ministerial Meetings. Its day-to-day operations are coordinated through ASEM Senior Officials Meetings.
The Summits set ASEM principles and priorities. These biennial meetings are held alternately in Asia and Europe, and to date 12 Summits have been convened. The Foreign Ministers Meetings are responsible for the overall coordination and policy planning of all activities, adopting guidance documents and approving new initiatives.
The Senior Officials Meetings are held to ensure continuity in the work of ASEM and oversee preparations for the Summits and for Foreign Ministers Meetings.
The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), founded in 1997, is the only permanent institution under ASEM. It is tasked with promoting greater mutual understanding between Asia and Europe through academic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
亚欧会议
亚欧会议是亚洲和欧洲间重要的跨区域政府间论坛，旨在促进两大洲间建立新型、全面伙伴关系，加强相互对话、了解与合作，为亚欧经济社会发展创造有利条件。1996年3月，首届亚欧首脑会议在泰国曼谷举行，会议通过了《主席声明》，确定每两年召开一次首脑会议。2014年在意大利米兰举行的第十届亚欧首脑会议，决定接纳克罗地亚和哈萨克斯坦为新成员，亚欧会议成员增至53个。亚欧会议包括政治对话、经贸合作、社会文化及其他领域交流三大支柱，活动机制包括首脑会议、外长会议及部长级会议等，日常工作通过高官会进行沟通协调。亚欧首脑会议负责确定亚欧会议的指导原则和发展方向，隔年在亚洲和欧洲轮流举行，迄今已举办12届。亚欧外长会议负责亚欧会议活动的整体协调和政策规划，通过有关指导性文件并批准新倡议。亚欧高官会议负责协调和管理亚欧会议各领域活动，并对首脑会议、外长会议预做准备。成立于1997年的亚欧基金是亚欧会议框架下唯一常设机构，负责开展亚欧学术、文化和人员交流活动。
