IP/09/834

Brussels, 27 May 2009

EU-ASEAN: ever closer

EU Foreign Ministers will meet their ASEAN counterparts 27-28 May in Phnom Penh. The main outcome of the meeting should be the endorsement of the second phase of the Action Plan implementing the Nuremberg Declaration adopted in 2007 to increase cooperation between the two regions. The meeting will also discuss the recent advances in ASEAN integration, as well as issues of mutual concern such as the global economic crisis, food and energy security, and the environment. This biennial EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting will be attended by representatives from the European Commission, EU Member states and the 10 ASEAN countries: Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Ahead of the meeting, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "The EU and ASEAN are two successful examples of regional integration in the world.  Our relations have never been better and still we have huge potential to go further.  I am pleased at the progress in making good on the commitments of the Nuremberg Declaration. I look forward therefore to an ambitious agenda for joint action being agreed at the Ministerial Meeting.  ASEAN's integration is advancing.  It is developing its institutions and organisation in a clearly ASEAN way, but inspired by the EU's experience."

She added: "The economic crisis will take much of our attention. However, we should not forget the pressing issues of climate change, energy and food security, terrorism and trans-national crime, amongst others.  Now, more than ever the EU and ASEAN should make common cause in addressing these concerns of our citizens."

The Nuremberg Declaration issued at the previous EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in 2007 committed the two regions to step-up relations across the board (security, political, economic, social sectors).  Ministers will review progress on the ground, and agree an agenda for action over the coming two years. 

 ASEAN recently raised its integration efforts, implementing the ASEAN Charter adopted in 2007, an EU-inspired constitutional document that aims to make ASEAN a rules-based organisation. The Charter strengthens ASEAN institutions (provisions for Ministerial Councils, a human rights body, accreditation of ambassadors, a Committee of Permanent Representatives structure in Jakarta and monitoring powers for the ASEAN Secretariat).  ASEAN is doing this in its own way, but clearly considers the EU as a source of inspiration. In March this year it agreed Blueprints for the Political/Security Community and the Socio-Cultural Community, adding to the Blueprint for the Economic Community endorsed earlier. 

For the 2007-2013 period, and on top of its €1.3 billion of development aid to South-East Asian countries, the European Commission is supporting ASEAN’s regional integration efforts with an additional €70 million. The Head of the Commission Delegation in Jakarta has recently been accredited as Representative to ASEAN.

Further information: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/asean/index_en.htm