The economic ministers realise that there was enormous potential in the economically dynamic and diverse Asian and European regions to create synergy through enhanced inter-regional linkages, spurring the further economic growth of both regions. Therefore, a minister-level meeting is needed to grow this potential that is part of ASEM's main pillars.
Recalling that their Leaders had forged "a new comprehensive Asia-Europe Partnership for Greater Growth" and recognizing that the growing economic links between the two regions form the basis for a strong partnership, Ministers discussed a wide range of economic issues under the ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting (EMM) agenda toward developing a common vision for economic co-operation in ASEM.Normally, EMM is held every two year since 1997 with the exception of the 5th meeting held in 2003. The followings are the meetings held so far:
The first Economic Ministers' Meeting was held in Makuhari (Japan) on 27 & 28 Sep 1997
The second Economic Ministers' Meeting was held in Berlin (Germany) on 9 & 10 Oct 1999
The third Economic Ministers' Meeting was held in Hanoi (Vietnam) on 10 & 11 Sep 2001
