ASEAN and the European Union on March 1 marked the start of a new phase in the ASEAN-EU economic cooperation with a seminar held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The seminar also marked the conclusion of the ASEAN-EU Program for Regional Integration Support, Phase II (APRIS II).

 APRIS directly supports ASEAN in the implementation of its ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, in particular helping with practical steps for establishing the ASEAN single market and production base.

APRIS Phase I and Phase II have been operating for the last eight years with EU grant support of 10 million Euro. A new phase of ASEAN-EU economic cooperation through the ASEAN Economic Integration Support Program (AEISP) was unveiled at the seminar. This next phase of economic cooperation starts now with expanded targets and hence a larger budget of 15 million Euro. The new funds will directly help ASEAN realize its targets for a single market by 2015.

“Over the last eight years, the APRIS support from the EU has been successful and helpful to ASEAN. The new phase of support opens a new and exciting chapter for economic cooperation with the EU. I look forward to working in closer partnership with the EU in advancing economic integration,” said the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan.

Over the four-year period (2006-2010), APRIS II focused its support to ASEAN on developing key agreements and implementation mechanisms leading to trade facilitation and removal of non-tariff barriers between the ASEAN members. This had led to tangible successes including the simplification of customs procedures across borders, harmonization of administrative documents, standardization of technical requirements and the transition from governmental pre-approval system to a post-market surveillance system for cosmetic products.

EU Ambassador Julian Wilson said: "The EU and ASEAN are the two most ambitious regional integration projects in the world. That makes ASEAN and EU not just natural allies but actually members of the same family who can learn and mutually benefit from each other. As ASEAN's largest source of foreign investment and major trading partner, the EU and ASEAN have and always will invest first and foremost in our economic and people-to-people alliance. This is what makes a real positive difference to our citizens' lives through job creation, education, tourism and other areas. Our ASEAN and EU family matters… and, as the EU Ambassador, I am proud of that".

The APRIS program also strengthened ASEAN Secretariat's institutional capacity - in particular by helping ASEAN with the Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism. Through financing policy dialogues and study visits to Europe, the program also contributed to the creation of ASEAN- EU networks of policy-makers and practitioners.

(CPV)