MANILA — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has cited the huge role of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in discussing pressing world issues, stressing the importance of sitting down and tackling ways in addressing global concerns.
Locsin pointed out that regions that account for some of the best functioning economies and organized societies of the present are involved in the meeting.
“There’s clearly something of value there we intend to keep growing,” he said.
In a press conference as he concludes his participation at the ASEM in Brussels on Saturday, Locsin said the leaders covered a wide range of concerns in politics, economics, and culture.
On the Philippine side, the foreign affairs chief said he raised the topic on migration.
“The summit brings us to a tighter partnership between Asia and Europe to address challenges in global scale,” he said.
Locsin acknowledged that the Asian experience with Europe in the past is another aspect of the two regions’ history.
“At this summit, no judgment were made about that experience, what there was instead was a determined and cooperative effort to discover the best possibilities of the greatest mutual benefit by moving forward,” he said.
“ASEM’s value added was to show how informal dialogue can move forward even on the most difficult issues,” he added.
The DFA chief represented President Rodrigo at the high-level gathering in Brussels, Belgium, which ran from Oct. 18 to 20. (/PNA)