ASEAN, Germany to increase cooperation

JAKARTA, Dec 3 (Xinhua): Christian Wilhelm Walter Wulff, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of ASEAN, met Friday in Jakarta to exchanged views on ways to strengthen Germany's relations with each of the ASEAN countries and with ASEAN as a regional entity, a press statement from the ASEAN Secretariat said here. President Wulff commended ASEAN for its achievements and reaffirmed Germany's support to ASEAN in its effort to build the ASEAN Community. He informed Surin that Germany takes a special interest in working closely with ASEAN, and takes great effort to ensure that the EU is represented at the highest level at ASEAN meetings. The president encouraged ASEAN to play a more active role in global affairs. He observed that ASEAN is a role model for other regions, as many ASEAN Member States with large Muslim populations coexist with other nations in peace. "ASEAN is a stabilising factor. In a world where there are many disruptions, ASEAN is moving in the right direction", he said. He welcomed the developing role of the civil society in ASEAN. Surin informed the president that ASEAN is keen to project itself as a coalition of moderate countries who are tolerant of many faiths. The two sides acknowledged that it is important for ASEAN, the EU and Germany to maintain their dialogue and work together to create peace and mutual understanding in the global community.