AFR ASEM 4 in Copenhagen on 23 and 24 September 2002
22.09.02
On 23 and 24 September 2002, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen will be hosting the fourth ASEM Summit (Asia-Europe Meeting). The Bella Centre is the venue of the Europe-Asian Summit, which is part of Denmark’s EU Presidency.
ASEM 4 will begin in the evening of Sunday 22 September with an informal dinner at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore for the Heads of State and Government, hosted by the Danish Prime Minister.
ASEM 4 gathers the Heads of State and Government of the 15 EU Member States and ten Asian nations of Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi. The purpose is to extend the co-operation between Europe and Asia. The Summit has a central position in the strengthening of Denmark and the EU’s connections with Asia.
The ASEM co-operation covers a broad range of issues, from political dialogue via economic co-operation to social, cultural and educational questions. Since the start of ASEM in 1996, more than 40 co-operation projects have been initiated, ranging from illegal immigration measures via human rights to environmental protection.
At ASEM 4, the political dialogue will take its premise in the international situation after 11 September 2001 with a view to discussing the new security policy challenges that Europe and Asia are facing. The fight against international terrorism will assume a prominent place. The forum will also discuss the latest regional developments.
In the economic area, the Heads of State and Government are expected to discuss Europe-Asia co-operation in the light of global economic development. Other important and obvious subjects include the contribution of the WTO development round to the promotion of sustainable economic development through a balanced result and regional economic and financial integration as a growth-promoting factor.
During the discussion of social, cultural and educational issues, social measures for alleviating the unintended side effects of globalisation are expected to assume a prominent position. The main emphasis is expected to be placed on human resources development, among other things in the shape of educational initiatives.
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On the occasion of ASEM 4, the Danish Prime Minister states:
”The ASEM process has a central position in Denmark and the EU’s relations with Asia. The ASEM countries with their more than 2,000 million people represent a third of the world’s population and represent more than 50 per cent of global GDP. The Asian ASEM members together make up the second largest trading partner of the EU.
The overall purpose of ASEM is work for peace, security and stability, and to contribute to sustainable economic and social development. ASEM 4 is a welcome opportunity to discuss issues of common interest to Europe and Asia. The Summit is a good opportunity to exchange views on the common challenges we are facing.
I am looking forward to meeting my Asian and European colleagues in Copenhagen.”
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Further information on ASEM 4 and events and activities in connection with the Summit, including information on press access to ASEM 4 events, may be found at www.asem4.dk.
Further to this, please note that there will be a doorstep press conference with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen after the informal dinner on 22 September at Kronborg Castle, in the ante-room of the casemates at approximately 10:15 PM.
NB: Participation in the doorstep press conference requires prior registration with Head of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Office Lisbet Rubinstein by telefax: +45 36 12 60 01, e-mail: media@asem4.dk or telephone: +45 40 30 93 73.
Contact information Press: Head of Press Relations Michael Kristiansen, +45 40727224 or Head of Section Michael Helbo, +45 40803685. The Prime Minister’s programme: Head of Section Jesper Fersløv Andersen, +45 33922235/ +45 40803688.