Europe-Asia summit overshadowed by Nice attacks
The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM) opened in the Mongolian capital of Ulanbataar on July 15 with top leaders from 49 nations, including ASEAN, observing a minute of silence following the deadly truck attack in the French city of Nice that killed more than 80 people, drawing attention away from Beijing’s rejection of a tribunal ruling dismissing its extensive South China Sea claims.
Counter-terrorism efforts had been due to be discussed at the meeting, and the issue was given renewed urgency by the outrage in Nice, where a truck ploughed into Bastille Day revelers in what President Francois Hollande called a “terrorist attack.”
“Today we all, Europe and Asia, stand united with the French people and their government. We condemn this tragedy and keep up our fight against extreme violence and hatred,” said European Council President Donald Tusk.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that “cowardly terrorism engulfing innocent people is unforgivable”, according to Jiji Press, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was also among those who expressed his sympathy for the victims.
ASEM comprises of 53 entities – 51 countries from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies – the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. At the meeting, cooperations between the two continents in business and infrastructure (such as the New Silk Road) are being discussed, as well as political issues such as the South China Sea conflict where Europe could talk on a role as mediator.
The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM) opened in the Mongolian capital of Ulanbataar on July 15 with top leaders from 49 nations, including ASEAN, observing a minute of silence following the deadly truck attack in the French city of Nice that killed more than 80 people, drawing attention away from Beijing's rejection of a tribunal ruling dismissing its extensive South China Sea claims. Counter-terrorism efforts had been due to be discussed at the meeting, and the issue was given renewed urgency by the outrage in Nice, where a truck ploughed into Bastille Day revelers in what President Francois Hollande called a...
The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM) opened in the Mongolian capital of Ulanbataar on July 15 with top leaders from 49 nations, including ASEAN, observing a minute of silence following the deadly truck attack in the French city of Nice that killed more than 80 people, drawing attention away from Beijing’s rejection of a tribunal ruling dismissing its extensive South China Sea claims.
Counter-terrorism efforts had been due to be discussed at the meeting, and the issue was given renewed urgency by the outrage in Nice, where a truck ploughed into Bastille Day revelers in what President Francois Hollande called a “terrorist attack.”
“Today we all, Europe and Asia, stand united with the French people and their government. We condemn this tragedy and keep up our fight against extreme violence and hatred,” said European Council President Donald Tusk.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that “cowardly terrorism engulfing innocent people is unforgivable”, according to Jiji Press, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was also among those who expressed his sympathy for the victims.
ASEM comprises of 53 entities – 51 countries from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies – the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat. At the meeting, cooperations between the two continents in business and infrastructure (such as the New Silk Road) are being discussed, as well as political issues such as the South China Sea conflict where Europe could talk on a role as mediator.
