Senior Officials Meet to Prepare for ASEM meeting

Senior officals from 26 member countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will meet on Sept. 18-20 in Seoul to prepare for the third ASEM meeting slated for next month, officials said on Sunday.

"Some 150 people will gather for the ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting on Monday to discuss the agenda of the third ASEM that is to take place Oct. 20-21 in Seoul," a Foreign Affairs-Trade Ministry official said.

They are also expected to discuss the details of the "Seoul Declaration," which is to be issued during ASEM.

The ASEM, first held in Bangkok in 1996, aims to promote development and prosperity in Asia and Europe through informal, open dialogue on everything from trade issues to cultural exchanges. Major powers such as Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as developing countries like Vietnam and the Philippines will send representatives to the Oct. 20-21 Seoul meeting to discuss "Partnership for Prosperity and Stability in the New Millennium."

by Lee Chul-hee