BRUSSELS, Oct 18 (KUNA) -- The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit kicks off this evening (later on Thursday) in Brussels -- aimed at strengthening cooperation to tackle global challenges.
Leaders of 51 countries from across Europe and Asia, over two days under the title "Global Partners for Global Challenges," will discuss how Europe and Asia can develop their partnership, according to an EU statement.
Discussions will focus across the three pillars of ASEM: political; economic and financial; and social and cultural.
ASEM leaders will look at ways of enhancing connectivity between the two regions, which together account for 55% of global trade, 60% of the world's population, 65% of global GDP and 75% of global tourism. Other topics for discussion include trade and investment, sustainable development and climate, and security challenges such as terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber security and irregular migration, it noted (end) nk.rk