Brussels, 19/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have "made a great steep forward" in their co-operation by agreeing, in Brussels on Wednesday, at the 14th session of the Joint Committee, to strengthen and deepen the political dialogue, especially in fields where the Europeans may provide a contribution to the integration efforts of their partners, the European Commission is pleased to announce. At the same time, the Committee opened the debate on contractual shortcomings and how to meet these.
The Asian participants welcomed the new strategic framework in which the European Commission envisages placing relations with Asia (see EUROPE of 4 and 5 September), as well as the decision to open new representations in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, say the partners in a joint press release. The Joint Committee welcomed the positive developments recently seen within ASEAN, stressing the efforts made, at both regional and national level, to re-establish the economy in an optic of sustainability and to absorb the social impact of the financial crisis. "ASEAN's commitment to forge regional integration (…) should contribute to strengthening competitiveness (of the group) in the new economy and attract foreign trade and investments", it points out. The new impetus provided to EC/SEAN cooperation, from a basis constituted by political dialogue, will pass immediately through implementation of projects, financed if necessary by the Union, in key-sectors such as finance and investment, energy, the environment, forests, transport, customs and information and communications technology. One of the pivotal elements of this process is the ASEAN project to support regional integration which should see the light of day next year. As for the joint reflection that is now to begin on future cooperation, it will cover both fields and structures and mechanisms, as well as future priorities (notably economic, globalisation, "inter-societal" understanding) and the strengthening of bilateral relations between the EC and the countries members of ASEAN. The aim is to finalise a new working programme mid-2002, notably to render the existing structures and mechanisms for effective.