ASEAN, EU Agree to Further Strengthen Ties

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and the European Union have signed two declarations for EU to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

The two blocs inked the declarations at the just concluded 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the documents represent another significant step forward in ASEAN-EU relations.

"As is known to all, the accession of EU and European Commission to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia will certainly contribute to the peace, security and stability in East Asia and beyond. In light of the importance of ASEAN-EU relations, I think we should accelerate the accession process. I expect we may complete the process within this year, which can maintain both sides' interest and political willingness in this issue."

During the two-day gathering in Cambodia, EU and ASEAN ministers agreed to seek ways to give new impetus to the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Area negotiations.

They also endorsed the Phnom Penh Agenda for the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action for 2009 to 2010.

The biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting were attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as delegates from ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

The ministers decided to meet again for the 18th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Spain in 2010.