ASEM summit opens amid gloom over deadly France truck attack

India is represented at the summit by Vice-President Hamid Ansari

The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit commenced here in the Mongolian capital today with top leaders from 49 nations, including India, observing a minute of silence following the deadly truck attack in the French city of Nice that killed over 75 people.

The ASEM member countries were welcomed by Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.

India is represented by Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an informal inter-regional dialogue that addresses political, security, financial, economic, social and cultural issues.

This year's summit is bringing together high-level delegation from 51 ASEM partners – 30 European and 21 Asian countries – and two intergovernmental organisations-under an overall theme of "20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity".

Presidents of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Myanmar, South Korea, and Switzerland are attending the summit.

23 countries, including Japan, China, Finland, Luxembourg, Russia and the Netherlands, are attending the summit on a head-of-government level, whereas the remaining 16 country attendees are foreign ministers.

Additionally, the European Union is represented by Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by Le Luong Minh, Secretary General of ASEAN.

The summit was opened by Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj who extended his welcome to the leaders.

"The people and the state of Mongolia have been placing a paramount importance on the ASEM Summit, which is currently on the global spotlight," said President Elbegdorj.

"Indeed, the political leaders of ASEM partners, who make two-thirds of the global economy, have gathered here in our Ulaanbaatar city today," he noted.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of ASEM. It coincides with the historic 810th anniversary celebration of our Great Mongolian State, and we place special significance to hosting the Summit in our country this year," he added.

ASEM comprises of 53 entities – 51 countries from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies – the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.

It represents around 62.3% of the world's population, 57.2% of the global GDP and almost 60% of the world's trade.

Earlier, European Council president Tusk today described as a "tragic paradox" that over 75 people were killed in Nice when French people were celebrating "liberty, equality and fraternity" – the country's motto – on its National Day.

"European and Asian leaders pay respect to victims of #Nice attack. We stand united against violence and hatred," Tusk tweeted.