The European Union (EU) and the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to boost cooperation in the spheres of mutualinterests during a meeting of ASEAN-EU Senior Officials’ Meeting in Brussels,Belgium, on February 11.

EU and ASEAN representatives in a group photo - Photo: VNA

The two sides were unanimous to intensify collaboration in economy-trade-investment,adaptation to emerging challenges, especially the Fourth Industrial Revolution,connectivity promotion, transport, health care, sustainable development,anti-terrorism, prevention of transnational crime, cyber security, and maritimesecurity.

They also agreed to soon complete the ASEAN-EU Air TransportDeal and step up efforts towards the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Regarding regional and international issues, countries sharedthe situation of coping with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) andagreed to organise a teleconference between ASEAN and EU to share experience inthe field.

As regards East Sea issues, countries continued stressing theimportance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom ofnavigation and aviation.

They called on the involved parties to settle disputes viapeaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Participants also backed the efforts of ASEAN and China inimplementing effectively the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SouthChina Sea (DOC) and soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Countries congratulated Vietnam on fulfilling its missions asPresident of the UN Security Council in January 2020.

As ASEAN Chair 2020, Vietnam on behalf of the associationaffirmed to continue promoting close relations between ASEAN and its partners,including the EU.

Source: VNA