Luxembourg will continue to support ASEAN Community building efforts todemonstrate its commitment to deepen relations with the region, thecountry’s new Ambassador to ASEAN Robert Lauer has told ASEANSecretary-General Le Luong Minh.

According to the ASEANSecretariat, during the presentation of his Letter of CredenceAmbassador Lauer said that Luxembourg attaches great importance to itsrelations with ASEAN both bilaterally as well as in the ASEAN-EUframework.

He stated that Luxembourg follows with keeninterest the developments in ASEAN, particularly its regionalintegration efforts.

Ambassador Lauer expressed hisGovernment's continued support and encouragement to the ASEAN Communitybuilding efforts and looked forward to seeing the realisation of theCommunity at the end of this year. He also stressed that the regionalintegration experience of the European Union could serve as a valuablelesson for ASEAN to learn from.

Secretary-General Minhcongratulated Ambassador Lauer on his appointment as the Ambassador ofthe Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to ASEAN. He stated that the accreditationreflects Luxembourg's commitment to forge closer relations with ASEANand welcomed his Government's goodwill and support for ASEAN Communitybuilding. He updated Ambassador Lauer on the progress of the ASEANCommunity building and that ASEAN is making steady progress towardsbuilding an integrated, well connected, and people-oriented ASEANCommunity by the end of this year.-VNA