The 2nd ASEM Summit (ASEM2) was held on 3-4 April 1998 in London, thr United Kingdom. It was attended by Heads of State and Government from 15 European and 10 Asian nations and the President of the European Commission, under the chair of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rt. Hon. Tony BLAIR, also acting as president of the Council of the European Union. Leaders were accompanied by their foreign ministers, members of the European Commission and other ministers. The Summit was themed, “Reinforcing the Partnership between Europe & Asia“.
ASEM2 reaffirmed the partnership between Asia and Europe to carry the ASEM process forward. The review of the progress made since the inaugural meeting revealed that concrete activities have been taken to strengthen links between the two regions. The financial crises in Asia dominated the summit’s discussions.