Jakarta (VNA) –The 25th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint CooperationCommittee has been held at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta,Indonesia during which the two blocs agreed to enhance effectiveness ofcooperation in traditional and non-traditional security.
The event was the first meeting between the Committee of PermanentRepresentatives to ASEAN (CPR) and the association’s partners in 2018to review ties between ASEAN and each partner.
Both sides highlighted that 2017 marked the 40th anniversary of ASEAN – EU DialogueRelations and the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN.
The two sides welcomed the final assessment of the implementation of the BandarSeri Begawan Action to Strengthen the ASEAN – EU Enhanced Partnership(2013-2017), and the adoption of the successor ASEAN-EU Plan of Action(2018-2022) in Manila in August 2017.
The EU affirmed to continue supporting the central role of ASEAN in theregional architecture, and pledged to assist ASEAN projects and developmentprogrammes.
The EU head delegate said the attendance of President of the European CouncilDonald Tusk at the ASEAN Summit in November 2017 as guest the ASEANChairman reflected the EU’s strong commitment to the region. He hoped that thetwo sides will continue working together to lift the relations to a new height.
ASEAN updated delegates on the regional situation over the past years,including the outcomes of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025and a Blueprint on the three pillars of politics-security, economy andsocio-culture.
The association called on the two sides to forge their cooperation for peace,security, stability and prosperity in the region.
The 26th meeting is scheduled for early 2019.
The January 30 meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador of Thailand to ASEANPhasporn Sangasubana, who is also the Country Coordinator for the ASEAN-EUDialogue Relations, and David Daly, Head of the Southeast Asia Division of theEuropean External Action Service.-VNA
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