EU and ASEAN unite efforts against economic crisis
Friday, 28 May 2010
MADRID, May 27 (Xinhua): The European Union (EU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday signed the Madrid Declaration, which unites their efforts against the economic crisis, underlines their cooperation in the fight against terrorism and nuclear proliferation as well as making a statement for regional integration.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of their meeting, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who was the main representative of the EU in the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Brunei, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and the General Secretary of the ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, who is from Thailand, said they were satisfied with the meeting held in Madrid.
As the current holder of the EU Presidency, Spain called on the ASEAN countries to shower greater 'solidarity' in the face of the economic crisis and refrain from the 'temptation' of protectionism.
"In the EU they are increasingly more aware of the importance of South East Asia as an entry port for the region's markets," said Pitsuwan, who also commented that the EU is ASEAN's third most important commercial partner.
Moratinos said the final document highlighted the "potential strategic importance" of the association between the EU and ASEAN.
The EU and ASEAN also discussed ways to escape the current economic crisis. ASEAN is currently made up of 10 countries: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malay-sia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Cambodia.
Moratinos pointed out EU is the source of over 26 per cent of the total investment in South East Asia, which makes it the main investor in the region.
The Madrid meeting between ASEAN and the EU took place 30 years after the two blocks signed their first agreement in Kuala Lumpur in 1980.
The countries forming the ASEAN block, which was founded in 1967, cover around 4.5 million square kilometers, have a population of 580 million and a GNP of around 3,000 billion dollars.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of their meeting, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who was the main representative of the EU in the meeting, the Foreign Minister of Brunei, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and the General Secretary of the ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, who is from Thailand, said they were satisfied with the meeting held in Madrid.
As the current holder of the EU Presidency, Spain called on the ASEAN countries to shower greater 'solidarity' in the face of the economic crisis and refrain from the 'temptation' of protectionism.
"In the EU they are increasingly more aware of the importance of South East Asia as an entry port for the region's markets," said Pitsuwan, who also commented that the EU is ASEAN's third most important commercial partner.
Moratinos said the final document highlighted the "potential strategic importance" of the association between the EU and ASEAN.
The EU and ASEAN also discussed ways to escape the current economic crisis. ASEAN is currently made up of 10 countries: the Philippines, Indonesia, Malay-sia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Cambodia.
Moratinos pointed out EU is the source of over 26 per cent of the total investment in South East Asia, which makes it the main investor in the region.
The Madrid meeting between ASEAN and the EU took place 30 years after the two blocks signed their first agreement in Kuala Lumpur in 1980.
The countries forming the ASEAN block, which was founded in 1967, cover around 4.5 million square kilometers, have a population of 580 million and a GNP of around 3,000 billion dollars.