INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE and climate change topped the agenda at the European Union-ASEAN Summit held in Singapore on November 22.
The meeting was attended by Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates, exercising his function as Rotating President of the European Union, and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luís Amado.
The South West Asian Countries Association Summit with the European Union was also attended by European Commissioner José Manuel Durão Barroso and European Union Trade Commissioners, Peter Mandelson and EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, as well as EU High Representative and Common Security Commissioner Javier Solana.
The summit in Singapore coincided with the 30th anniversary celebrations marking dialogue between the European Union and ASEAN member countries.
The ASEAN Association includes Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma.
Strengthening ties
Its core objective is to strengthen commercial, political, diplomatic and cultural ties between the South East Asian Bloc and European Union member states.
International trade, environmental pollution and climate change, and human rights, particularly those in Burma, following disturbances earlier in the month in that country, were on the table for discussion during the summit, which also evaluated cooperation between the two entities over the past 30 years and aims to develop a sustainable energy and development strategy for the next few years.
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