5th ASEP concludes in Beijing

The fifth Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting -- or ASEP -- has concluded in Beijing.

Five new members joined ASEP during the two-day meeting. They are Romania, Bulgaria, India, Pakistan and Mongolia. The next round of ASEP meetings will be held in Belgium in 2010.

ASEP was initiated in 1996 and the meeting is held every two years by Asia and Europe in turn. ASEP aims to enhance understanding between Asia and Europe through dialogue among parliaments.