Gilani to visit China for ASEM Summit

Islamabad, Oct 22: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will be visiting China from October 23-25 to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.

Pakistan joined ASEM in 2006 and will be attending this apex gathering for the first time. ASEM is an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996. It consists of 27 EU, 10 ASEAN and six Asian countries (China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan and Republic of Korea) plus the EU Commission and ASEAN Secretariat. It aims at strengthening the relationship and mutual understanding between Asia and Europe. Themes of the ASEM (2008) include Food Security, Disaster Preparedness and Management, International and Regional Developments, International Financial Situation, Promotion of Asia-Europe Trade and Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Energy Security, Climate Change, Social Cohesion and Deepening Dialogue amongst Civilizations.

''Documents to be issued at the end of the Summit include leaders' statement on international financial situation, Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development, Chairman's Statement of ASEM-7, and Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (2008),'' Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Besides attending the meetings of the ASEM Summit, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the Chinese leadership.

Prime Minister will also be holding bilateral meetings with leaders of important Asian and European countries and discuss issues of mutual interest covering bilateral relations and international issues, the statement said.

He will also hold a meeting with Chinese businessmen and leaders of corporate sector to discuss trade and investment opportunities.

UNI