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Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit's leaders adopt key documents

TOKYO, July 16 (KUNA) -- Asian and European leaders issued a joint statement on Saturday that summarized the two-day 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, held in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolian state-run news agency Montsame reported.
The Chair's statement highlights the discussions of shared common goals for future, issue of enhancing connectivity in all dimensions, as well as cooperation on political and security Issues among others, according to the report.
In the Ulaanbaatar Declaration, the participants from 51 ASEM member countries, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) noted that "Informal political dialogue and cooperative initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields will continue to be the cornerstone of our partnership," while promoting informality, networking and flexibility in overall operations.
"To ensure the continuity of initiatives that evolve from informal dialogue to tangible outcomes that will benefit the peoples of Asia and Europe, ASEM will focus on areas of common interest, such as, countering terrorism and violent extremism, maritime safety and security, fighting piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as human and drug trafficking, cyber security and cyber-crime, security of and in the use of information and communication technologies, and upholding the purpose and principles of the UN Charter," the declaration said.
At a press conference in Ulaanbaatar on outcomes of the biennial gathering, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj said the two-day summit discussed such as boosting the ties between Asia and Europe and refugee issues. The next ASEM Summit will take place in Brussels, Belgium, the report said. (end) mk.gta