European Union (EU) ministers will meet their counterparts from
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday to
endorse a Vision Statement on future relations.
At the meeting in Nuremberg, Germany, the EU will express its
commitment to support Southeast Asia in developing its own forms of
regional integration, said the European Commission, the executive
body of the EU.
This biennial EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting will be attended by
representatives from all EU member states as well as the 10 ASEAN
countries.
"EU relations with ASEAN are becoming increasingly dynamic:
tomorrow's meeting, and in particular the adoption of the
Vision Statement shows that our relationship is ready to
shift up a gear, " said EU external relations commissioner Benita
Ferrero-Waldner on Tuesday.
"Europe has led the way in exploring the possibilities and
advantages of regional integration. We applaud the initiatives that
ASEAN is taking to bring the benefits of deeper regional
cooperation to Southeast Asia. We will continue to do all we can to
support ASEAN in this to help bring greater stability and
prosperity to the region."
The Vision Statement calls for closer political
relations at bilateral and multilateral level and lists the areas
for joint action, especially in security, energy, environmental and
development matters, said the commission.
(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2007)
