"This is an important meeting and its importance is shown by the fact that there are 25 countries represented, 15 from the European Union and 10 Asian countries," the minister said.

Matteoli said ministers at the meeting would discuss "important issues about the future of the planet like climatic changes, water resources, the implementation of the Kyoto protocol and desertification."

The ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) was expected to finalise a joint declaration on Monday after a working dinner late Sunday.

The Italian minister said both sides had reached broad agreement after technical discussions by officials on Saturday but that "small issues" still remained.

The meeting, a follow-up to last year's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, aims to identify shared views and prospects for dialogue, cooperation and partnerships.

Specific issues under discussion include sustainable consumption and production patterns, sustainable use and conservation of natural resources -- including bio-diversity and forests, oceans and in particular environmental aspects of maritime safety -- as well as energy and public participation.

The meeting is only the second of its kind between ministers of the two regions. The first summit took place on January 17 last year in Beijing.

TERRA.WIRE