Hanoi, May 25, SPA -- The Ninth Asian-European Meeting (ASEM) of Foreign Ministers opened here today with the participation of 45 Asian and European countries, DPA reported. The Meeting will focus on cooperative measures toremediate the global economic slowdown. Founded in 1996, ASEM is a multilateral channel for communication and dialogue, mainly on economic issues, between European and Asian countries. The Group holds bi-annual summits and periodic meetings of high-level officials.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/667851