LOC14:49
11:49 GMT
BRUSSELS, Aug 3 (KUNA) -- The 27-member European Union and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will adopt a new plan for deeper cooperation over the next five years (2023-2027) during their meeting in Cambodia on Thursday.
The EU-ASEAN Plan of Action sets out a wide range of areas of cooperation, including post-pandemic recovery, trade, climate change, research and security, said a press release by the EU External Action Service (EEAS) on Wednesday.
Preparations for the first-ever EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit involving all 27 EU member state Leaders, to be held in Brussels in December, will play a prominent role in discussions, it noted. The year 2022 marks 45 years of partnership between the EU and ASEAN.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell will lead the EU side for the annual Ministerial Meeting between the EU and ASEAN.
During his visit, Borrell will meet Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who is also the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.
The bilateral discussions will focus on post-pandemic recovery, Russia's war against Ukraine and its global implications, regional cooperation and the worrying developments in Myanmar, as well as work to deepen EU relations with Cambodia, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year.
On Friday, Borrell will represent the EU at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial, chaired by Cambodia.
ASEAN Member States will participate alongside the other 17 ARF Partners to exchange views on regional and global security issues.
The EU foreign policy chief will raise the issue of the Ukraine war and its impact on the global economy and food security as well as regional issues of concern, including the increasing violence perpetrated by the military junta in Myanmar. (end)
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