ASEAN-EU FMs to Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) will meet in this capital May 4-6 to analyze the global crisis.

Official Cambodian sources stated that guests from United States, Japan and China are also expected to attend the meeting.

They will analyze a group of measures aimed at boosting cooperation and reducing effects of the current global crisis.

Also on the list is the signing of a treaty of collaboration and friendship between both groups.

The event will take place in Siem Reap, 186 miles north-east of Phnom Penh.

The 10 ASEAN member countries, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar keep regular contacts with the EU Commission in the ASEM forum, a process of informal dialogue also extended to Oceania states.

According to an official announcement, the ASEM meeting will be run in Postdam, Germany, on March 16-17, with an agenda focused on labor and social issues. A conference on development will be held in Manila, Philippines April 20-21.

Also included is the Group of 20 Summit, which ASEAN will attend as a guest on April 2, and an expected summit of 16 countries from Asia and Oceania on April 10-12.

In two chapters, ASEAN + 3 (China, Japan and South Korea) and ASEAN + 6, also including India, Australia and New Zealand, regional leaders will also debate economic plans to face the impact of the world financial crisis, in the Thai city of Pattaya.