The European Union (EU) is looking into the possibility of expandingcooperation with the 10-member ASEAN in non-traditional security,notably the maritime field.
Ambassador and Head of the EUdelegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said the EU wished to see morecollaborative works in the maritime area, reminding the successfulworkshop on maritime security cooperation held by the two sides inJakarta in November 2013.
He was delighted at Malaysia’s offer tohost the EU-ASEAN High-level Dialogue on maritime security scheduled inthis May, saying it shows that ASEAN looks at the EU as an example ofhow to see and address security issues from a regional perspective.
The envoy believed there is room for both to cooperate and learn fromeach other, adding that under the expanding relationship, the two sidescould exchange information and programmes on border management andmaritime cooperation in the combat against terrorism.
He looked forward to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community(AEC), which is believed to not only benefit the bloc but also openmore opportunities for trading and investment partnership.
Vandebon said the EU would offer all possible forms of assistance tohelp ASEAN form the AEC which will create a single market with over 600million consumers by the end of this year.
AsEuropean Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom will visit Malaysia onApril 25-26 and meet the ASEAN trade and economic ministers, Vandebonsaid he hoped that, the meetings could allow Malaysia and the EU toresume talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was interruptedsince October last year.-VNA
Ambassador and Head of the EUdelegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said the EU wished to see morecollaborative works in the maritime area, reminding the successfulworkshop on maritime security cooperation held by the two sides inJakarta in November 2013.
He was delighted at Malaysia’s offer tohost the EU-ASEAN High-level Dialogue on maritime security scheduled inthis May, saying it shows that ASEAN looks at the EU as an example ofhow to see and address security issues from a regional perspective.
The envoy believed there is room for both to cooperate and learn fromeach other, adding that under the expanding relationship, the two sidescould exchange information and programmes on border management andmaritime cooperation in the combat against terrorism.
He looked forward to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community(AEC), which is believed to not only benefit the bloc but also openmore opportunities for trading and investment partnership.
Vandebon said the EU would offer all possible forms of assistance tohelp ASEAN form the AEC which will create a single market with over 600million consumers by the end of this year.
AsEuropean Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom will visit Malaysia onApril 25-26 and meet the ASEAN trade and economic ministers, Vandebonsaid he hoped that, the meetings could allow Malaysia and the EU toresume talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was interruptedsince October last year.-VNA
