11th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., represented Ireland at the 11th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit held in Mongolia on 15-16 July 2016. Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers from 51 countries across Europe and Asia representing two-thirds of world's population & accounting for almost two-thirds of global trade, as well as the EU & ASEAN, attended the Summit.

The Summit marked the 20th anniversary of ASEM and focused on the theme of enhancing partnership and connectivity between Europe and Asia. Leaders also had an opportunity to discuss key regional and international issues, including migration, maritime security and the DPRK. The participants reiterated their commitment to working closely to fight terrorism in a joint statement issued following the terrorist attack in Nice, which occurred on the morning of the opening day of the Summit.

As the Summit took place shortly after the UK referendum on EU membership, Minister Flanagan’s address provided an early opportunity to reaffirm Ireland’s position at the heart of the European Union and the Eurozone to our Asian partners. Minister Flanagan underlined that Ireland’s EU membership remains central to the success of our open, competitive economy and that it has been the foundation for much of our social progress over the last four decades. Minister Flanagan also took the opportunity to hold informal discussions with EU counterparts on the outcome of the referendum.

During the Summit and in bilateral meetings held with Asian Foreign Ministers over the course of the two days, Minister Flanagan also expressed Ireland’s interest in broadening and deepening our relations with countries in the Asia Pacific region. Ireland now has 13 Embassies and Consulates in the region, including in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam.

Documents from the Summit meeting are available to view at http://www.aseminfoboard.org/events/11th-asem-summit-asem11