Helsinki, 11/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - Heads of state of the 25 Europe Union Member States and 13 countries of Asia met in Helsinki (Finland) on 10-11 September for the Sixth Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), where they discussed the future of ASEM and adopted a Helsinki Declaration on Monday 11 September. The main forum for EU-Asian talks, ASEM will continue to play a role in promoting peace and stability and ensuring sustainable economic and social development for its members. In Helsinki, Europeans and Asians stressed the inclusive nature of ASEM, admitting India, Pakistan and Mongolia to its ranks, and inviting Bulgaria and Romania to join once they join the EU. The Secretariat of ASEAN (the Association of East Asian Nations) was admitted as a full member of ASEM. The Helsinki Summit will mark the tenth anniversary of the ASEM process. The President of the Coun cil of the EU, Matti Vanhanen, said that ASEM would reinforce its position as a forum for dialogue and parternship which the new members would be contributing to, particularly on issues like climate change, anti-terrorism and energy supplies.
Building on past success, the informal and flexible nature of ASEM meetings will continue, based around the three current pillars (politics, economics and cultural and social affairs). Vital areas of discussion for the next ten years of ASEM will include strengthening multilateralism and addressing security threats, and sustainable development, including labour issues, education, human resources, health, science and technology. ASEM wants to improve its working methods and organisation and is planning to make use of the expertise of certain countries by giving them a key role in the organisation for various initiatives. Increased openness in the ASEM talks process is also on the cards.