MILAN, October 16 (RIA Novosti), Daria Chernyshova — No country can remain in isolation in the 21st century, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said Thursday opening the 10th ASEM summit in Milan.
"In the 21st century no country can remain in isolation. We need to effectively connect our nations - in physical, digital, institutional insurances," Herman Van Rompuy said.
He also outlined the agenda of the two-day summit.
"First, how to enhance financial and market cooperation," he said, adding that Asia has become one of the major European partners in trade, while "the European Union is the largest foreign investor in Asia."
Van Rompuy continued with the global issues "that affect all of us" - climate change, environment, terrorism.
He also reminded about the tough economic situation in Europe, with the European Union fighting for economic growth and jobs.
Ukraine, according to the European Council President, also remains the issue of concern.
"The situation in Ukraine is affecting the security of our continent," Van Rompuy continued, adding that the instability in Africa is of high concern as well.
The heads of 29 European countries and 22 Asian partners will attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit that will take place in Milan, Italy, from October 16 to 17. The main topic of the summit is partnership for sustainable growth and security in the world.
