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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Press Release on Minister For Foreign Affairs’s Attendance at 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Lao PDR

source : MIC

Minister for Foreign Affairs at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, attended the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) 11 and 12 December in Vientiane, Laos, and arrived back Yangon on 12 December. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar issued a press release dated 12 December 2000. The following is a translation of the press release:

Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Vientiane, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on 11 and 12 December. Minister attended the sideline meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam during the session of the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting.

The ministers discussed and exchanged views on cooperation in endeavours for enhancement of competitiveness in the information technology sector in ASEAN region, which was the decision passed by the Fourth ASEAN Informal Summit held in Singapore in November and sought action plans to be implemented in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam for narrowing digital divide between one member country and another and among the member countries.

The opening session of the 13th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting took place at the Lao National Theatre 11 December 2000. Prime Minister of Laos Ms. Sisavath Keobounphanh delivered the opening address. Prior to the open! ing ceremony, the ministers paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister of Laos. Minister U Win Aung also attended the ASEAN Foreign Minister Informal Meeting in the afternoon on 10 December 2000 and the Ministerial Meeting on 11 and 12 December 2000.

Topics discussed at the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting covered ASEAN-EU relations, political and security affairs, international economic situation, and ASEAN-EU future relations. Under ASEAN-EU relations topics, the present ASEAN-EU relations were reviewed and ASEAN-EU programmes discussed. In the issue of political and security matters, views were exchanged in relation to the situations in South-East Asia, Europe, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle-East. ASEAN and EU delegates delved into economic development in ASEAN and EU, economic recovery in ASEAN region and other economic matters under the heading of international economic situations subject.

The South-East Asian region subject, Minister spoke at length on the Government’s plans and endeavours for national consolidation, and changes and developments in Myanmar

The Minister informally met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, as well as with the Foreign Ministers of other ASEAN member countries, and exchanged views on ASEAN affairs. The 13th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, was the first to be held after the 12th meeting held in Singapore in 1997.

Holding of such a meeting after three years of stagnant relations between ASEAN and EU indicates ASEAN’s desire and willingness to promote relations with other countries and organizations and dialogue partners, and proves that ASEAN was able to hold the meeting between the two organizations of two regions with the attendance of the 10 countries of South-East Asian region. The delegates were able to review the relations between ASEAN and EU and disc uss and exchange views on future relations at the meeting. ASEAN proved its dynamic unity at the meeting and was able to present regional situations and developments. Moreover, views could be exchanged on human resources development to be able to join the two regions together steadfastly adhering to the basic principles of ASEAN, cooperation in technologies and combating narcotic drugs.