South Korea Outlines Forthcoming 3rd ASEM SummitSouth Korea Tuesday outlined the third Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM) slated to open on October 20-21 under the theme of "Partnership for Prosperity and Stability in the New Millennium."South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Lee Joung-binn explained the summit's significance and major topics for discussion and its expected results at a press conference here Tuesday afternoon. South Korean President Kim Dae-jung will chair the third ASEM meeting which will bring together 10 Asian and 15 European heads of state and government and the president of the European Commission to discuss ways to enhance Asia-Europe cooperation oriented into the 21st century. In three closed sessions of the summit, the leaders will focus on ASEM's three pillars -- fostering political and security dialogue, reinforcing economic cooperation and promoting socio--cultural exchanges. At the end of summit, the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework 2000 will be adopted which will present the long-term vision and aims of ASEM in the 21st century. As the host nation, South Korea will initiate several new projects, including the Trans-European Information Network. At the summit, President Kim will give detailed explanation on the results of the historical South-North summit and will have an in-depth discussion with the leaders for continued consolidation of peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Seoul Declaration for Peace on the Korean Peninsula will be adopted to renew the support of the ASEM members for the process of rapprochement and cooperation underway between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Lee added. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |