ABSTRACT
Since 1996, ASEM has constituted a unique framework for dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia. Biennial summits of heads of state and government, annual ministerial meetings and even more frequent meetings at the level of senior officials provide a regular setting for political dialogue. 1 ASEM’s strength is its composition: 27 European Union (EU) member states, 16 Asian partners (of which 10 are members of ASEAN), three members of the so-called third temporary category (Australia, New Zealand and the Russian Federation), the European Commission (EC) and the ASEAN Secretariat.
