The 10th Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM 10) was held in Milan, Italy, on 16 – 17 October 2014. The meeting was attended by the Heads of State and Government, or their high-level representatives, of 51 Asian and European countries, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. Under the theme “Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security”, leaders exchanged views on economic, financial, regional and global issues, as well as traditional and non-traditional security challenges, in the spirit of partnership between Asia and Europe.

At the Summit, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha called for an increase in cooperation between Asia and Europe, risk management involving connectivity between the two regions, and the expansion of free trade arrangements between Asia and Europe. He stressed the importance of efforts to cope with possible shortages of food and energy in the future, as a result of growing demand and effects of climate change. Prime Minister Prayut also told the meeting that Thailand was ready to host ASEM Summit in 2016, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of ASEM.

Speaking after his return from the Summit the Prime Minister said that he took the opportunity to create better understanding about the situation in Thailand with the international community.  Indeed, a survey conducted by Master Poll among core community leaders found that 70.4 per cent of respondents said that Thailand’s image in the eyes of the international community had improved after the Prime Minister’s attendance at ASEM 10.

Source: http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=7467&a=2

http://italia2014.eu/media/3021/chairs-statement-on-the-tenth-asia-europe-meeting.pdf