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 On 14-15 March the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held in Nuremberg, Germany. Lithuania was represented by Lithuanian Ambassador to Germany Evaldas Ignatavičius.

The meeting held by German EU Presidency marked the 30th anniversary of EU-ASEAN cooperation.

During the meeting ASEAN Foreign Ministers remarked that the EU was a fine model for the integration of ASEAN region countries and the ASEAN were striving to learn from the EU experience. Currently the ASEAN is preparing the ASEAN Charter. The Charter is a constitution, which is to be adopted in the end of 2007. The charter shall introduce into the ASEAN a number of features, which are typical to the EU: obligatory decisions, closer coordination and stronger secretariat.

The EU and ASEAN Ministers discussed the issues of closer EU-ASEAN cooperation concerning resolving international conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East, fighting international terrorism, strengthening the economic cooperation, cooperation of universities and youth communication.

It was highlighted that the moderate Muslim ASEAN countries like Indonesia and Malaysia could contribute to curb the development of Islamic Radicalism in the Middle East and in Europe, as well as to encourage the cross-cultural and cross-religious dialogue. The EU Ministers also expressed their concern regarding human rights abuses in Myanmar and urged to release political prisoners, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

The participants of the meeting adopted Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership.

The ASEAN region’s economic growth has been accelerating and today it has become one of the largest regional markets in the world and EU’s 5th trade partner. The EU is ASEAN’s 2nd export partner, investing considerably in the Southeast Asia. Intensifying trade cooperation, both parties intend to negotiate Free Trade Agreement, which would improve trade conditions in both regions.

Lithuania has established diplomatic relations with nine out of ten ASEAN countries, with the exception of Myanmar. The greatest Asian investor in Lithuania is Thailand’s company “Indorama Thailand”, which invested €100 m in Klaipėda free economic zone.