Two high-ranking delegations from the United Kingdom and the Republic
of Ireland on March 14 worked with the ASEAN Secretariat, as part of
their visits to Indonesia, with the aim to strengthen friendship and
cooperation.
The UK delegation head Margot James, who is
Vice Chairwoman of the Conservative Party, and Lim Hong Hin , Deputy
Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, exchanged
views on the EU and ASEAN model of integration and how ASEAN could gain
from EU experience.
Lim explained the association’s opinions
on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) to UK parliamentarians.
He
also briefed the delegation on the latest developments in ASEAN’s
efforts and challenges faced in establishing an ASEAN Economic Community
by 2015. He went on to call for greater investment from EU member
countries, including the UK , as well as the participation of
European investors and businesses in the forthcoming Forum on ASEAN
Comprehensive Investment Agreement.
Lim also hosted a reception
for Irish Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, who
highly valued the role of ASEAN in the region.
The two sides
discussed issues of mutual concern, with a focus on ASEAN’s integration
process and connectivity, and measures to boost cooperation between the
region, the EU and Ireland.-VNA