ASEAN, EU move to further strengthen relations

MANILA, Aug 5 (TNA) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) are moving to further strengthen their relations which would benefit the world as both sides celebrate their 40th anniversary of strong links this year, said a spokeswoman of Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry. The remarks were made by the spokeswoman during ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in the Philippines capital on Saturday. Thailand is now country coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. ASEAN’s goal is to strengthen relations with the EU which would eventually lead to strategic partnership, therefore, it will have to seek a common stance, said the spokeswoman. Several cooperation projects between both sides are expected to be declared during the current ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, she said. The EU also has planned for a joint cooperation between 2018 – 2022 such as on natural resources and regional integration on economic, trade and investment. Education is another significant issue between both sides as university students are exchanged on a regular basis, she said. On security cooperation, both sides are cooperating in several fields including labour migration, diseases, cyber security and on border security, she added. (TNA)