ASEAN, EU sign two agreements about EU's accession to TAC

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the EU (European Union) signed two declarations here on Thursday afternoon to enable the EU to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia.

The two declarations, one is the "ASEAN Declaration of Consent to the Accession to TAC" and the other is "Declaration on Accession to the TAC", were signed by Kasit Piromya, Thailand foreign minister, and Jan Kohout, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic during the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) held here on Thursday.

"The European Union and European Community declares its intent to accede to the Treaty, on the basis of the letter of application of December 6, 2006," EU's declaration said. While the ASEAN said it declares the consent of all the states in Southeast Asia to the accession to the Treaty by the EU and EC.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his earlier keynote address that "the signing of these documents represents another significant step forward in ASEAN-EU relations."

Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister and co-president of the meeting, said that "this accession will certainly contribute to peace, security and stability in the region."

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting was attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between the ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

WTO, ADB urge more Aid-for-Trade efforts to counter the economic crisis

28 May 2009
Source: WTO

AID FOR TRADE

Ministers, trade officials and senior government officials from around Asia today gathered in Siem Reap, Cambodia to discuss the impact of the global crisis on trade, how Aid for Trade can support private sector growth, and how to include trade into national development strategies.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

At the conference, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Pascal Lamy urged ongoing efforts to support trading activities in the face of the prolonged global financial crisis and the risk of protectionism.

“Developing countries, particularly least-developed countries and small states, need Aid for Trade not simply to weather the crisis, but more importantly, to prepare for longer-term development and structural adjustment,” Mr. Kuroda said in a keynote speech on the opening day of the two-day meeting.

Mr. Lamy stated that: “Trade is an essential ingredient to exit the crisis. But to keep the wheels of trade turning we need trade finance to flow. And to make trade work for the people we need renewed efforts on Aid for Trade. This is the time for global solidarity.”

As part of those efforts, Mr. Kuroda and Mr. Lamy announced that Cambodia and Japan will lead an Asia-Pacific regional technical group on Aid for Trade. The regional technical group is tasked with preparing plans for stepping up Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific and will report at the Second Global Review on Aid for Trade to take place in Geneva, Switzerland on 6-7 July 2009.

Aid for Trade was conceived in December 2005 to help developing nations, in particular least-developed countries, around the world to bolster their capacity to trade. Asia has long suffered an uneven trade status. The newly industrialized economies like Hong Kong, China and the Republic of Korea, as well as the Republic of China and India, are integrated into world markets but the region's 22 least developed and smaller economies still account for just 0.3% of world exports. This level has barely increased over the last 25 years.

In tandem with national efforts to mainstream trade into national development strategies, Aid for Trade aims to help countries overcome the supply side and economic infrastructure constraints that undermine their ability to engage in regional and global trade.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members — 48 from the region. In 2008, it approved $10.5 billion of loans, $811.4 million of grant projects, and technical assistance amounting to $274.5 million.

The World Trade Organization, based in Geneva, is the international organization whose primary purpose is to open trade for the benefit of all. WTO provides a forum for negotiating agreements aimed at reducing obstacles to international trade and ensuring a level playing field for all, thus contributing to economic growth and development.

ASEAN, EU agree to further strengthen ties

By Zhang Ruiling

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The ASEAN and the EU on Thursday stressed the need to further strengthen and deepen their dialogue and cooperation on battling the global financial crisis, anti-terrorism, disease prevention and other regional and international issues.

The 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM), opened here on Thursday, focused on ASEAN-EU's enhanced partnership and cooperation. The meeting under the theme of "ASEAN-EU Partnership for Peace, Economic Growth and Development" also addressed issues of ASEAN integration, food and energy security and the environment.

"The meeting was held in the traditional spirit of openness, trust and solidarity that is the corollary of more than 30 years of dialogue and cooperation," according to the joint statement of the meeting.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen opened the meeting and made a keynote address. He reviewed and spoke highly of the ASEAN-EU cooperation, saying "our close relations at present are becoming ever stronger and covering a wide range of areas."

The two blocs also signed two declarations on Thursday afternoon for enable the EU to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia. "These documents represent another significant step forward in ASEAN-EU relations," Hun Sen said, and asked to continue accelerating the process of the EU's accession to the TAC as early as possible.

Moreover, Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister and the co-presidents of the meeting, also commended the signing of the two documents, saying that "this accession will certainly contribute to peace, security and stability in the region."

The ministers had in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues. During their discussion on the current global economic and financial crisis, the ministers stressed the need to make concerted efforts to overcome the global economic crisis, calling for the rapid implementation of the measures agreed upon, including strengthening financial market's oversight and regulation. They also agreed to seek ways to give new impetus to the ASEAN-EU FTA (Free Trade Area) negotiations which will further strengthen and promote trade and investment ties between the two regions.

They also endorsed the Phnom Penh Agenda for the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2009-2010), and tasked their senior officials of both sides to exert all efforts to implement the agenda in order to deepen and intensify cooperation in every field between them.

In addressing the emergence of the latest A/H1N1 virus, the two blocs' ministers said they will cooperate to fight against the new virus, as well as the diseases such as HIV/AID, Avian influenza and other future emerging infection disease.

Anti-terrorism, and non-traditional security issues were also on the agenda of the meeting, such as human smuggling and drug trafficking, money laundering, international economic and cyber crimes which constitute serious transnational crimes. They said that they will follow up with the "ASEAN-EU Joint Declaration on Cooperation to Combat Terrorism," and promoting inter-regional and multilateral counter-terrorism efforts.

At the same time, they agreed to seek new impetus to the ASEAN-EU FTA (Free Trade of Area) negotiations, to enhance cooperation on food and energy security, as well as the cooperation on disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

The ministers also exchanged views of the recent situation in Myanmar, according to Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong at the press conference. The ministers called for the early release of those under detention, and encouraged the Myanmar government to conduct closer cooperation with the United Nations.

As for the recent nuclear test by Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the two blocs condemned the recent underground nuclear test and missile launches undertaken by the DPRK and urged the DPRK to return immediately to the Six-Party Talks, as well as comply with the UN Security Council's resolutions.

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting were attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as the delegates from ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

The ministers decided to meet again for the 18th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Spain in 2010.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Cambodian PM calls for more ASEAN-EU partnership, cooperation

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) to continue strengthening partnership and cooperation in response to the global challenges.

"I strongly believe that ASEAN and the EU can play a more active and more forceful role in the world," the premier said in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) at Chaktomuk Conference Hall.

"There is no room for a passive role for us, and we - ASEAN and the EU collectively - need to take on the global challenges with head on," he added.

The 17th AEMM which opened here Thursday will focus on ASEAN-EU's enhanced partnership and cooperation, as well as the world economic and financial crisis and other regional and international issues.

The meeting under the theme of "ASEAN-EU Partnership for Peace, Economic Growth and Development" is also scheduled to address issues of ASEAN integration, food and energy security, and the environment.

Hun Sen, in his speech, reviewed and spoke highly of the ASEAN-EU cooperation, saying "our close relations at present are becoming ever stronger and covering a wide range of areas."

The premier also underlined six areas for further enhancing the cooperation and partnership between the ASEAN and EU, such as continuing implementing the ASEAN-EU Action Plan, moving quickly to realize the EU/EC's accession to the TAC (the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia), supporting each other in the areas of integration and the community building process, and strengthening ASEAN-EU cooperation in the regional and international forum.

On the issue of the global economic and financial crisis, Hun Sen said "the current crisis presents both the danger and the opportunity for some countries, particularly those in the developing world."

But he warned that "the danger is that some countries may resort to protectionism." He asked to "reform the international financial institutions" to serve the interests of all.

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting were attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as the delegates from ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

17th ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting opens in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The 17th ministerial meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and European Union (EU) opened here Thursday, focusing on ASEAN-EU's enhanced partnership and cooperation, as well as the world economic and financial crisis and other regional and international issues.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the opening ceremony held at Chaktomuk Conference Hall and will make a keynote address.

The meeting under the theme of "ASEAN-EU Partnership for Peace, Economic Growth and Development" is also scheduled to address issues of ASEAN integration, food and energy security and the environment.

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting was attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as the delegates from ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

EU-ASEAN summit to kick off

Homeless people, like those pictured, have been targetted by authorities ahead of today's ASEAN-EU summit. (Photo by: SOVANN PHILONG)

Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Written by Sebastian Strangio and Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Observers call on delegates to address trial of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

DELEGATIONS from 40 European Union and ASEAN countries are to gather in Phnom Penh today for the 17th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, an event likely to be overshadowed by the ongoing trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar.

According to a statement released Tuesday by the delegation for the European Commission in Cambodia, the meeting will focus on strengthening inter-regional cooperation on security, economic and social issues. It will also include discussions of other issues of "mutual concern" such as the global economic crisis, food and energy security, counterterrorism, transnational crime and the environment.

"The EU and ASEAN are two successful examples of regional integration in the world," Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European commissioner for external relations, was quoted as saying.

"I look forward to an ambitious agenda for joint action being agreed at the Ministerial Meeting."

Looming over the summit, however, is the fate of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, whose trial in Myanmar has now entered its second week. She faces up to five years in jail on charges of violating her house arrest after an incident in which an American man swam to her
lakeside house in central Yangon.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the issue was not on the formal agenda for the summit, but added the situation could change as the meetings unfold.

"I cannot speculate on any issue concerning Myanmar. It depends on the point of view of the co-chairs once the sessions take place," he said, referring to Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, who are to chair the meeting.

More than 40 foreign ministers from Asia and Europe meeting in Hanoi this week jointly called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a statement issued at the conclusion of the ASEM meeting on Tuesday.

"In light of the concern about the recent development to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ministers ... called for the early release of those under detention and the lifting of restrictions placed on political parties," the statement said.

Ministers have agreed to a text that "makes specific reference to the release of political prisoners and particularly Aung San Suu Kyi", British junior foreign minister Bill Rammell said.

During a meeting with Myanmar's Foreign Minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of the talks Monday, the EU also made its own calls for Aung San Suu Kyi's "immediate release".

Possibility of talks

Rafael Dochao Moreno, charge d'affairs of the delegation of the European Commission to Cambodia, said he could not comment on whether EU delegates would raise the issue in formal proceedings during the Phnom Penh talks, which generally do not address bilateral issues.

"ASEAN AND EU LEADERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO KICK START... THE RESUMPTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS."

"In the formal agenda, there is nothing on specific countries," he said.

"This is a multilateral meeting ... and individual issues are not, in principle, part of the agenda."

But he added that the Aung San Suu Kyi trial could force itself into sideline talks between delegates this evening.

"I can't imagine the EU and ASEAN ministers not discussing Myanmar under the present circumstances," Moreno said.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, the Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party backed the call, saying Aung San Suu Kyi's trial should be on the agenda at the summit.

"ASEAN and EU leaders have an opportunity to kick-start national reconciliation and the resumption of the democratic process in Myanmar," said the statement, made on behalf of 29 opposition parliamentarians.

"We urge you to seize this opening."

Sok Sam Oeun, chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, agreed, saying that "in order to develop democracy in ASEAN, it is better for the ASEAN ministers to discuss [Aung San Suu Kyi]".

Long-time prisoner
The opposition icon took the stand at her trial Tuesday as the Myanmar junta defied international outrage by threatening to extend her house arrest even if she is not convicted.

Aung San Suu Kyi said that she did not violate the terms of her house arrest by offering "temporary shelter" to a US man who swam to her lakeside home.

She was testifying for the first time at the maximum security Insein prison in Yangon, in a case which has drawn widespread international condemnation of the country's iron-fisted military junta.

"I didn't," the 63-year-old replied when a judge asked her whether she had breached the restriction order keeping her at her residence, according to reporters and diplomats present at the hearing.

She said the first she knew of the bizarre visit by American army veteran John Yettaw was when her assistant woke her up at around dawn on May 4 to tell her that a man had arrived at the house.

"I did not inform them," she said when asked by the judge whether she had told Myanmar's military authorities about the intrusion.

Aung San Suu Kyi was also asked about claims that she had given Yettaw food and let him stay at the house, replying: "I allowed him to have temporary shelter."

In a surprise development, Myanmar authorities informed Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday morning that her six-year period of house arrest was officially over - although she still remains in detention at the prison, her party said.

"We don't know whether we should be happy or sad, because she is still in detention on these charges," said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD).

"I cannot guess the verdict but according to the law, she should be completely free."

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for 13 of the last 19 years, since the junta prevented her party from forming a government following its landslide victory in elections in 1990.

Aung San Suu Kyi's Washington-based international counsel, Jared Genser, said Tuesday that a UN panel had already found that extending her house arrest would be illegal under both international and Myanmar law.

The junta is also trying Yettaw and two female aides who live with Aung San Suu Kyi in her house. Yettaw has said that he swam across a lake to the house to warn her of a vision he had that she would be assassinated.

Protesters call for Suu Kyi's release as EU-ASEAN meeting starts

Wed, 27 May 2009
DPA

Phnom Penh - Dozens of rights activist gathered outside the Myanmar embassy in Cambodia on Wednesday to demand the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a meeting of European and South-East Asian foreign ministers began in Phnom Penh. The protesters urged the ministers to expel Myanmar from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) unless Suu Kyi and other political prisoners were released immediately.

Sok Sam Oeun, chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee, said the 17th Annual EU-ASEAN meeting presented an opportunity for European and South-East Asian leaders to use political and economic leverage against Myanmar.

"We support the European Union and the Thai government, the ASEAN secretariat, in their expression of grave concern for the Myanmar Government's actions," he said. "But there needs to be stronger action taken and Myanmar needs to be expelled from the EU."

The protest came on the sixth anniversary of Suu Kyi's arrest on charges of threatening national security and the beginning of her detention in her home-cum-prison.

She is currently facing trial in Yangon for allegedly violating the terms of her detention by allowing US national John William Yettaw to swim to her lakeside compound on May 3 and stay there until May 6.

No formal discussions on the trial have been scheduled for the two-day meeting in Phnom Penh, but Cambodian Foreign Ministry officials said earlier this week that some delegates were likely to urge Myanmar to release Suu Kyi.

Foreign ministers from 40 countries held private talks Wednesday and will be welcomed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at an opening ceremony Thursday.

KKC Statement to ASEM Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cease Khmer Krom human rights violations in Vietnam

Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community

May 26 2009

STATEMENT

On the occasion of the Asia-Europe (ASEM) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh on May 27 - 28, 2009, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Community (KKC) wishes to draw the attention of all the delegations on the issue of the violation of the Human Rights of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom (Mekong Delta) people.

KKC represents all the oppressed Khmer people living on the Mekong Delta would like to appeal to all esteem delegates to look into the problem of the worst violation of human rights of the Vietnamese people especially, the Khmer Kampuchea Krom people by the current Vietnamese authorities. These abuses have taken on the people's freedom of religious belief (the Buddhist religion has been subjected to the tight control of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the Vietnamese Buddhist Sect), the freedom of assembly (associations) and local organizations, and freedom of expression, the prohibition of the Khmer Krom people from studying the Khmer literature and language as well as the forced seizures of the people's land.

KKC sincerely hopes that your esteem delegates will push for the halt of these violations of human rights of its people and to make sure that the human rights situation in Vietnam improved to the acceptable standard especially, the respect of the sacred rights of the indigenous people of Khmer Kampuchea Krom by the Vietnamese authorities.

[Signed]
Thach Setha
Former SRP Senate Member of Cambodia
E-mail: senthach2000@yahoo.com

Activists in Cambodia urge release of Suu Kyi

Wed, May 27, 2009

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Rights activists demanded freedom for Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday, ahead of a series of meetings between European Union and Southeast Asian ministers in Cambodia.

Dozens of Western, Myanmar and Cambodian rights campaigners demonstrated at the Myanmar embassy in Phnom Penh, urging ministers to pressure the ruling junta to release the opposition leader and other political prisoners.

"We are asking ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) that is meeting with the EU (European Union) to raise this issue to be discussed during the meeting," said Kek Galabru, president of a local rights group.

"ASEAN must push for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi," she added. Asian and European foreign ministers on Tuesday called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other Myanmar political prisoners after two days of Asia-Europe meetings in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

She is on trial in military-ruled Myanmar where she faces up to five years in jail on charges of violating her house arrest after an incident in which an American man swam to her house.

Representatives from the EU and the 10-member ASEAN were scheduled to attend a welcome dinner Wednesday evening, ahead of Thursday meetings intended to focus mainly on cooperation between the two regions amid the global financial crisis.

"According to the official agenda of the meeting, they will not discuss about issues of any specific country," Cambodia's foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told AFP.

"We don't know whether the ministers will raise the issue of Myanmar to be discussed or not. If they do, it will be an unofficial agenda," he added.

Several local diplomats, however, told AFP they expected Myanmar to be at the forefront of discussions.

Myanmar's treatment of prisoners, along with North Korea's recent nuclear test, dominated much of the agenda during Hanoi's ministerial meetings this week.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention for 13 of the past 19 years since her National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in 1990 polls but was not allowed to take power.

The Nobel laureate took the stand for the first time on Tuesday in her trial at Yangon's notorious Insein jail and argued she had not violated the terms of her house arrest.

Opposition MPs' letter to ASEAN-EU Minsters regarding securing Aung San Suu Kyi's release

26 May 2009

Honorable Ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union,

Re: ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meetings must secure Aung San Suu Kyi’s release

Welcome to all of you to the Kingdom of Cambodia. May I take this opportunity to commend you on your efforts in raising the issue of Myanmar, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention and trial, in your various capacities thus far.

We, Members of Parliament from Cambodia, call upon you as ASEAN-EU Ministers who are meeting in Phnom Penh on 27 and 28 May to take urgent action to secure the freedom of Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s call for national reconciliation, via diplomats who met her at her trial last week, proves that there is still much hope for positive change in Myanmar. However, for this to materialise, she and her fellow incarcerated leaders must be free to engage with military leaders.

ASEAN and the EU can help make this happen.

Further to that, countries from ASEAN and the EU, in particular Cambodia may want to host a meeting of all leaders in Myanmar along with representatives from nations who have a stake and role in Myanmar, such as the US, China, Japan, India, and even Russia. This meeting of leaders will be crucial in seeking a solution to the situation in Myanmar.

While you are here, we would like you to encourage our Prime Minister, Samdach Hun Sen, to offer Cambodia as a venue on such a meeting of international leaders.

ASEAN and EU leaders have an opportunity to kick start national reconciliation, and the resumption of democratic process, in Myanmar. We urge you to seize this opening.

Yours truly,
MP Son Chhay

On behalf of MPs.

MP Sam Rainsy; MP Mu Sochua; MP Tioulong Saumura; MP Yem Ponhearith
MP Kem Sokha; MP Ou Chanrith; MP Mao Munyvann; MP Cheam Channy
MP Kimsour Phirith; MP Yim Sovann; MP Eng Chhai Eang; MP Chiv Cata
MP Thak Lany; MP Ho Van; MP Ly Srey Vyna; MP Yont Tharo
MP Chan Cheng; MP Khim Laky; MP Pot Pov; MP Nuth Rumduol
MP Men Sothavarin; MP Khy Vandeth; MP Long Ry; MP Chea Poch
MP Kong Bora; MP Kuoy Bunroeun; MP Tok Vanchan; MP Ke Sovannaroth

CC:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
• All Foreign Embassies in Phnom Penh

Cambodia says ready to host 17th ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting

PHNOM PENH, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is ready to host the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM), government officials and private sector said Wednesday.

"We are ready to welcome high level officials of foreign affairs from the 10 ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and the 27 EU (European Union) countries to attend the ministerial meeting on May 27 to 28," the official Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) quoted Foreign Ministry's spokesman Koy Kuong as saying on Wednesday.

Lou Meng, president of the Hotel Association in Cambodia, said hotels in Phnom Penh are also ready to serve and provide a comfortable hospitality to them.

"We have cooperated with the Cambodian authorities to start preparing hospitality to the 37 countries' delegations three months ago since we have got a notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he said.

According to Koy Kuong, the agenda of the 17th AEMM would be world financial crisis, cross border crimes, arm management, drug trafficking, food security, energy as well as climate change. The 16th AEMM was held in Nuremberg, Germany in 2007.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Czech President and current EU President Vaclav Klaus will be named as co-presidents of the meeting.

The meetings rotate between ASEAN and EU countries. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.