Norway new participant at Asia–Europe Summit

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is participating today at the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Laos. He is the first Norwegian prime minister to do so. Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh today became members of ASEM, a key forum for dialogue between Asia and Europe.

 “Norway’s engagement in Asia is growing steadily. At the same time, Asian countries are becoming more interested in Norway, and in our policies and neighbouring areas. ASEM is a forum that discusses the future of Asia and Europe, and that of course includes the future of Norway,” commented Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

ASEM is the main forum for dialogue between Asia and Europe, and it brings together representatives of more than 60 % of the world’s population, and represents a corresponding share of the global economy.
 
“Asia and Europe are facing many common challenges. ASEM provides an arena for following the rapid developments in Asia even more closely,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

As far as Norway is concerned, topics and policy areas that it will be natural to discuss in ASEM include energy, the Arctic, climate change and the environment, maritime safety and economic issues.
 
ASEM was established in 1996. Following today’s enlargement, it is now made up of 29 European countries (the 27 EU member states, plus Norway and Switzerland) and 20 Asian countries, as well as the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat.

The ASEM process of dialogue and cooperation takes place on three levels. At the highest level, there is the ASEM Summit of Heads of Government and State. The Summits are held every other year, in Europe and Asia alternately. In the years in which there is no Summit, there are Ministerial Meetings for the countries’ foreign ministers. There are also Ministerial Meetings for ministers in areas such as finance, the environment, education and culture. At the lowest level, meetings are held between officials in the various countries.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is taking part in the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Laos. He is the first Norwegian prime minister to do so. Here, the heads of government and state are gathered for a photograph. (Photo: The Prime Minister’s Office)