VP to attend ASEM Summit

Jakarta-wapresri.go.id. Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Mrs. Mufidah Kalla accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir and entourage are leaving for Mongolia from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport using presidential aircraft BBJ-2 on Thursday morning (July 14) to attend the 11th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) 2016, which will be held on July 15th to 16th, 2016 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

The entourage is expected to arrive in Ulan Bator at 7.35 pm of local time.

The Vice President is scheduled to attend the summit’s opening ceremony on Friday (July 15) at Shangri La Hotel in Ulan Bator. Afterwards, he is slated to be present at the plenary session where he will deliver his remarks.

On the same day, the Vice President is scheduled to watch the Nomadic-Nadaam Festival in Chinggisiin Khuree Complex and to attend a gala dinner hosted by Mongolian President in Khaan Ger, Khuree Chinggissiin complex.

On the second day of his visit, the Vice President is scheduled to join the Retreat Session with the theme “Enhancing the Three Pillars of ASEM”, followed with the summit closing ceremony at the ASEM Village.

On the sidelines of ASEM Summit, the Vice President is slated to hold bilateral meetings with several heads of state, including President of the Republic of Cyprus, the President of the Czech Republic, the President of Myanmar, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Prime Minister of Japan, and the Prime Minister of Estonia.

The Vice President and entourage are planned to return to Indonesia on Sunday (July 17) and are expected to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport at 6.35 pm on the same day.

ASEM is a forum established to discuss issues involving the countries of Europe and Asia. This forum discusses various matters, mostly on economy, politics, strategic defense, education, culture, and the environment.

ASEM is designed as a forum for informal talks between the countries of Europe and Asia. Ministerial meeting takes place every year, while the meeting between the heads of government/state (Summit) is held every two years (since 1996), with venues alternate between Europe and Asia. (KIP, Setwapres)