§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise human rights issues at the forthcoming Asia-Europe meeting in London; and if he will make a statement. [35746]
§ Mr. FatchettThe agenda of the Second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 2) will be finalised by the Leaders themselves. We look forward to a wide-ranging, informal and productive discussion. We expect it to touch on human rights. Leaders at the first ASEM in Bangkok made it clear that political dialogue, including consideration of fundamental rights, was one of the key dimensions of ASEM. The successful seminar on Human Rights and the Rule of Law held in Lund, Sweden in December 1997 is an encouraging example of the ASEM dialogue in this area.