ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting, 20-21 November 2017

Further information:

The European Union's High Representatives for Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini led the EU delegation. At the meeting, foreign ministers discussed how to address challenges affecting both continents, such as security, trade, climate change, sustainable development goals and connectivity.

The meeting was held in Myanmar, at the core of a refugee crisis as the Rohingya minority flees the country to neighbouring Bangladesh amid violence and allegations of ethnic cleansing.

This meeting also kick-started the preparations for the 12th ASEM summit which was scheduled to be hosted by the EU in October 2018.

Background information:

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was established in 1996 as a forum for dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia. It aims to strengthen the relationship between the two continents.

ASEM brings together 53 partners, including the EU, 30 European countries (28 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland), 21 Asian countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

A meeting of the ASEM foreign affairs ministers took place on 20-21 November 2017.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 20.11.17: Myanmar: EU and Germany see positive signals amid Rohingya crisis http://p.dw.com/p/2nvEQ

EU: EEAS: ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 20-21 November 2017 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35656/

European Council: ASEM 13th Foreign Ministers meeting: Chair's statement http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/11/21/asem-13th-foreign-ministers-meeting-chairs-statement/

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