BALI, Indonesia, July 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The ministers of foreignaffairs of Asian and European countries will meet here on July 24-25 under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum to be officiallyopened by Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

   The meeting, the fifth for ASEM foreign ministers, will bepreceded by a two-day senior officials meeting starting Tuesday.

   ASEM, which began its process in 1996, constitutes a forum forinformal dialogue between the heads of states and governments toexchange their views on important issues agreed upon by all ASEMpartners. In addition, ASEM aims at bridging differences andpromoting under  ASEM cooperation is based on three key pillars, namelypolitical, economic and socio-cultural pillars in the spirit ofmutual respect and equal partnership.

   In political field, the cooperation is directed to a dialogue concerning international and regional issues agreed upon by allpartners, the future activities of ASEM cooperation and the futureof ASEM.

   In economic field, the cooperation will be directed to theelimination of trade and investment barriers as well as tocreating a convenient, secure and guaranteed investment climate inthe regions.

   In social and cultural field, ASEM will focus on efforts todevelop relations and strengthen the awareness of the communitiesin the two continents so as to create common awareness for the future of ASEM. 

   ASEM economic, finance and foreign ministers meet annually andthe summit is held every two years. The fifth ASEM Summit willtake place in Hanoi in 2004.  Enditem