ASEAN CHAIR, EU PRESIDENCY PLEDGE TO STRENGTHEN ASEAN-EU RELATIONS; 
EU TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR RP PEACE PROCESS  

16 March 2007 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, the current Chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, holder of the Presidency of the European Union, during the 16th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on 14 March 2007 in Nuremberg , Germany .  

"As the Chair of ASEAN, and as holder of the Presidency of the EU, the two of us had a very good discussion on further strengthening ASEAN-EU relations," the Secretary said after his meeting with the German foreign minister.  

"In this context, Minister Steinmeier and I agreed to work closely together to build stronger ties between ASEAN and the EU," the Secretary said.  

Secretary Romulo added that the theme of this year's ministerial meeting, "Towards an Enhanced EU-ASEAN Partnership," reflects the strong desire of the members of both organizations to build closer and more meaningful ties.  

The Secretary also received the assurance of Minister Steinmeier of the continued support of the EU as well as that of Germany for the peace process and the growth and development of Mindanao .  

"This pledge of support, coming from the Presidency of the EU, is certainly very welcome and is another reason for all of us, particularly our countrymen and women in Mindanao to remain committed to the cause of peace," Secretary Romulo remarked. END

/jay

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