Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg has participated in the eighth Europe-Asia summit which was held in Brussels yesterday and today.

The summit was attended by 46 heads of state and government from Europe and Asia representing 58% of the world's population.

The summit welcomed for the first time Australia, New Zealand and Russia as new ASEM members.

The overarching theme of the summit was "Quality of life, achieving greater wellbeing and more dignity for all citizens". Leaders addressed issues of mutual concern for Europe and Asia focusing on the global economic situation, sustainable development, global issues including piracy at sea, fighting terrorism and organised crime and dialogue between cultures, regional issues including the Middle East peace process and enhancing people to people contacts. 60% of world trade is carried out by Asia and Europe.

In his intervention Dr Borg spoke of the need for Europe and Asia to pool their strengths together and to develop a common vision to improve the lives of the citizens. He also stressed the need to work together to address pressing common challenges such as finding sustainable ways to address the economic crisis as well as other issues such as fighting piracy at sea.

With regard to the regional issues Dr Borg underlined the importance of moving forward the Middle East peace process and the direct talks as an opportunity not to be missed by all parties concerned. Minister Borg stressed Malta's position that we must work together to uphold peace and stability in Asia and Europe and to facilitate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Dr Borg held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam during which bilateral issues as well as Vietnam's relations with the European Union were discussed.