EU-ASEAN Troika

Singapore © Ministère des affaires étrangères et européennes, J-Y Chen

• On: 23.07.2008
• In: Singapore

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political, economic and cultural organisation made up of 10 Southeast Asian countries.

On 23 July, ASEAN will meet with its six dialogue partners, including the European Union. Rama Yade, Minister of State with responsibility for Human Rights, will head the European delegation.

This meeting will be an important step in building the EU and ASEAN's relationship, midway between the EU-ASEAN Summit marking thirty years of ties between the two regional organisations (Singapore, 22 November 2007) and the plenary ministerial meeting scheduled for May 2009 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Discussions will mainly address perspectives for the EU-ASEAN relationship and the main regional and international issues. This meeting is taking place at a time when trade between the two regions is on the rise (the European Union is currently ASEAN's second largest trading partner) and when their institutional ties are strengthening. Cooperation and partnership agreements with several Southeast Asian countries are being negotiated and a free trade agreement is under examination.

• Updated: 25.11.2008

• Back to the top