EU pledges to strengthen business relations with ASEAN

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　　He told a press conference ahead of the 20th ASEAN Summit scheduled for Monday and Tuesday that the Second EU-ASEAN business summit just concluded here Sunday was "a true success."

　　The ASEAN countries are the EU's third largest trading partner outside Europe with annual bilateral² trade in goods and services reaching some 233.73 billion U.S.dollars, he noted³.

　　On the relations between Europe and ASEAN, the two important alliances in the world, he said, "Our futures⁴ are entwined."

　　On the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN-EU Economic meeting on Sunday, Karel De Gucht and Vietnamese Minister for Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang concluded a scoping paper that covered the topics to be included in their future trade negotiations⁵.

　　Last year, EU-Vietnam trade in goods was worth more than 24.04 billion dollars, with Vietnam having a trade surplus of 10.15 billion dollars.

　　Malaysia and Singapore are also expected to cut a deal with EU soon, said the commissioner, adding that this would send a very positive signal to all ASEAN members that partnering with Europe is the way forward.

　　On the current financial crisis in Europe, he said "Europe's economy has only been bruised⁶, not broken, so ASEAN governments, delegates and business people are right to be feeling the positivity."

　　He said that Europe remains⁷ very much open to business because uncertainty⁸ is being replaced by action and guarantees.

　　"So we have solid progress back in Europe and concrete results for EU-ASEAN co-operation here in Cambodia," he said.

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