One of our main activities is organising and hosting Luncheon Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Lucheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Direct Dr Willem van der Geest.

The Outcomes of the Hanoi ASEM V Summit
Tuesday 9 November 2004 from 12:30 to 14:30

Speakers: Ambassador Mrs. Phan Thuy Thanh, Embassy of Vietnam, Brussels
Ambassador Dato Deva Mohd Ridzam, Embassy of Malaysia, Brussels
Mr Geoffrey Barrett, European Commission
Chair: Dr Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

Launched in Bangkok in 1996 between the then 15 member countries of the European Union (EU), the European Commission, and 10 Asian countries, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process has developed into a wide-ranging strategic dialogue between the two continental partners, Asia and Europe. The Fifth ASEM Summit which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam on 7-9th October 2004, was a landmark in Asia-Europe relations as it celebrated the enlargement of ASEM to include 39 partners, including the 10 new members of the EU, and 3 new members on the Asian side: Cambodia, Laos and Burma/Myanmar.  

At the Summit, ASEM Leaders addressed international developments, global challenges and regional developments in Europe and Asia. A particular theme was how to deepen a common commitment to a multilateral approach to international relations and to reform of the United Nations system. The Asia-Europe economic partnership and recent developments at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) were also discussed. In addition, the Europeans took the opportunity to discuss the human rights situation and the need for democratic reforms in Burma/Myanmar with Asian partners.

Speech by Ambassador Ridzam(pdf)

Photo Gallery

ASEM Summit Documents

Mr. Toyoo Gyohten (Japan) Chairman of ASEM Task Force for Closer Economic Partnership between Asia and Europe's speech contained their recommendations (pdf)

Dr. Gert Vogt, Co -Chairman's report (pdf) and Task Force Conclusions (pdf)