Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to take part in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
Bern, 08.11.2013 - Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), will travel to New Delhi, India, from 11 to 12 November to take part in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). The purpose of this meeting of foreign ministers is to conduct high-level discussions on issues of common interest to the two continents. This is the first time that Switzerland takes part in this ministerial meeting since becoming a member of ASEM in 2012.
ASEM member countries account for 60% of the world’s current population, almost half of global GDP and 60% of trade worldwide. In New Dehli, Mr Burkhalter will participate in discussions on the theme, ASEM “Bridge to Partnership for Growth and Development“. He will focus in particular on the issues of water management, security challenges, and the fight against terrorism.
ASEM was founded in Bangkok in 1996 and now has around 50 members. The Europe group of ASEM is made up of 27 member states of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and the European Commission. The Asia group comprises 20 countries, notably the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the ASEAN secretariat. ASEM is the most important platform for political debate between the two continents.
Switzerland officially joined ASEM on the occasion of the ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government in Laos in November 2012.
Further information
Jean-Marc Crevoisier
Head of FDFA Information
+41 (0)79 763 84 10
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Links
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
