Asia, Mideast to discuss terrorism

Asia, Mideast to discuss terrorism

SINGAPORE: Officials from some 40 Middle East and Asian
countries are expected to gather in the city-state from Monday
for the first official dialogue between the two regions. The
dialogue is likely to focus on terrorism and expanding business
links, Singapore officials have said.

The inaugural Asia-Middle East Dialogue -- an event proposed
by Singapore -- will also feature representation from the
Palestinian National Authority, said Ambassador Tommy Koh, the
chairman of the three-day event.

Koh said it was an opportunity for countries to learn from one
another and "discern opportunities for cooperation between the
sides."

Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar are among the
countries from the Middle East sending representatives. From
Asia, delegates from China, Japan, South Korea, India and all 10
Southeast Asian nations are attending, Koh said at a media
briefing.

Cooperation against terrorism, political reform and trade
links are scheduled for discussion, a provisional program
distributed by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed.

The next Asia-Middle East dialogue will be held in Egypt in
2007, Koh added. -- AP