Connecting Europe and Asia: Council adopts conclusions
On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on "Connecting Europe and Asia - Building blocks for an EU strategy", following the joint communication of the Commission and the High Representative of 19 September. The strategy will feed into the upcoming Asia-Europe meeting (ASEM) summit on 18-19 October.
The Council underlines that the EU will promote an approach to connectivity which is sustainable, comprehensive, and rules-based, and will advance investment and trade. This European approach is based on high standards of social and environmental protection and inspired by the EU's internal market, enabling countries to achieve higher levels of quality of life while guaranteeing respect for individual rights.
The Council calls for strengthened cooperation at the regional level between the EU and Asia, noting that the EU should consider developing regional approaches for sustainable connectivity identifying opportunities for cooperation.