The European Union (EU) is looking into the possibility of expanding cooperation with the 10-member ASEAN in non-traditional security, notably the maritime field.
Ambassador and Head of the EU delegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said the EU wished to see more collaborative works in the maritime area, reminding the successful workshop on maritime security cooperation held by the two sides in Jakarta in November 2013.
He was delighted at Malaysia’s offer to host the EU-ASEAN High-level Dialogue on maritime security scheduled in this May, saying it shows that ASEAN looks at the EU as an example of how to see and address security issues from a regional perspective.
The envoy believed there is room for both to cooperate and learn from each other, adding that under the expanding relationship, the two sides could exchange information and programmes on border management and maritime 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 open more opportunities for trading and investment partnership.
Vandebon said the EU would offer all possible forms of assistance to help ASEAN form the AEC which will create a single market with over 600 million consumers by the end of this year.
As European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom will visit Malaysia on April 25-26 and meet the ASEAN trade and economic ministers, Vandebon said he hoped that, the meetings could allow Malaysia and the EU to resume talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was interrupted since October last year.-VNA
Ambassador and Head of the EU delegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said the EU wished to see more collaborative works in the maritime area, reminding the successful workshop on maritime security cooperation held by the two sides in Jakarta in November 2013.
He was delighted at Malaysia’s offer to host the EU-ASEAN High-level Dialogue on maritime security scheduled in this May, saying it shows that ASEAN looks at the EU as an example of how to see and address security issues from a regional perspective.
The envoy believed there is room for both to cooperate and learn from each other, adding that under the expanding relationship, the two sides could exchange information and programmes on border management and maritime 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 open more opportunities for trading and investment partnership.
Vandebon said the EU would offer all possible forms of assistance to help ASEAN form the AEC which will create a single market with over 600 million consumers by the end of this year.
As European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom will visit Malaysia on April 25-26 and meet the ASEAN trade and economic ministers, Vandebon said he hoped that, the meetings could allow Malaysia and the EU to resume talks on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was interrupted since October last year.-VNA
