ULAABAATAR, MONGOLIA, July 16 (DNA): Addressing the 11th ASEM Summit on Saturday, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz highlighted the multi-faceted challenges facing the world today.

He said that the only way to overcome these challenges is to learn from past mistakes, address the root causes of longstanding conflicts like Kashmir and Palestine, and promote the culture of compromise to overcome the challenges.

The Adviser is leading Pakistan’s delegation to the 11th ASEM Summit. ASEM is a dialogue process between 53 countries of Asia and Europe to foster cooperation between the two continents in the spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.

This Summit marks the 20th anniversary of ASEM since its establishment in 1996. The theme of the Summit is Twenty Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity.

The delegations emphasized the importance of Connectivity which is the theme of the present Summit.

The Adviser underscored the various dimensions of Connectivity and in this regard highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting it in the region and beyond through projects like China Pakistan Economic Corridor, TAPI gas pipeline and CASA 1000 projects.

A large number of prominent leaders from Asia and Europe are attending the Summit, which is chaired by President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj of Mongolia.

Nine Heads of State, two Vice Presidents including that of India, twenty one Heads of Government including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Medvedev of Russia and Prime Ministers of Japan, Finland, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore amongst others are attending the Summit. DNA