S. Korea, ASEAN agree to expand economic ties ahead of special summit

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional outcome of the meeting, more details)
By Byun Duk-kun
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, May 31 (Yonhap) -- The secretary-general of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed Sunday to support the
expansion of economic and diplomatic ties between Korea and the 10-member
regional body as they were set to hold a special summit to mark the 20th
anniversary of establishing a dialogue partnership.

The agreement came in a meeting between the South Korean host of the special
summit, President Lee Myung-bak, and Surin Pitsuwan.
"President Lee and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan noted the Korea-ASEAN
relations continuously improved over the 20 years since the dialogue partnership
was established in 1989," Seoul's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said in a
press release.
The two also noted the Korea-ASEAN relationship will further develop following
the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) on investment that is expected to
take place at the end of the two-day summit here on the southern resort island of
Jeju, it said.
Surin said the signing of the investment treaty will not only expand exchanges
and economic cooperation between Korea and ASEAN, but also help the countries, as
well as the world overcome the global economic slowdown, Cheong Wa Dae
spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye told reporters.
South Korean officials earlier said the signing of the investment treaty will
bring FTA negotiations between the sides to a "wholesome conclusion," as an
agreement on merchandise has been in effect since 2007, and a deal on services
since May.
"I believe Korea's role in Asia is very important. I also thank President Lee for
raising the issue of a need for countries to pursue environmentally friendly
development," the ASEAN secretary-general was quoted as saying.
The South Korean president asked for the ASEAN Secretariat's special attention
and support for the implementation of measures designed to increase cooperation
between Korea and ASEAN that will be included in the joint statement of leaders
at the special Korea-ASEAN summit.
The ASEAN secretary-general promised the active support of the secretariat for
cooperation between Korea and ASEAN, according to the Cheong Wa Dae.
The Korea-ASEAN summit will begin Monday, following the end of a two-day business
forum, called the CEO Summit, that began here Sunday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)